News
Teenager turns her life around thanks to Scuba Diving
A teenager who has emerged from troubled times thanks to scuba diving has gone on to receive an award in a most unusual ceremony.
Janie Banks, 17, has completely turned her life around with the help of a course run by Sportivate, Basildon Academy and Orca Scuba Diving Academy.
She has gone from struggling in school and regularly skipping classes to completing her GCSEs and gaining an apprenticeship with the academy, based in the Burnt Mills Industrial Estate in Basildon in the UK. She now hopes to pursue a career in the Navy.
This week Janie was presented with the Eastern Region Sportivate Participant of the Year award by Active Essex chairman Gary Sullivan – while 20ft under water.
She said: “It’s crazy to think of the person I was last year. I never expected any of this.
“I was in a really bad place and I felt like I didn’t want to be here anymore.
“I feel like I have been really lucky, it is amazing. I love my life, I love my work and everybody here, I am just so happy.”
Janie had struggled with sports in school after being in a wheelchair until she was seven due to muscle problems and being partially sighted.
But her mum Alison, 48, believes problems came to a head with a devastating house fire in 2008, in which the family lost all their possessions and their pet dogs.
She said: “It is hard to explain, but she just found that she really couldn’t cope in the school environment.
“I am just so grateful for this scheme and for her teacher Gary.”
Gary Alridge, owner of Orca Scuba Diving Academy, described how before the course Janie would have struggled to take part in the presentation and interviews because of her anxiety, but is now a much more confident person.
“Janie is a great asset and it is a great reward for me. I do get a buzz out of the course, I won’t pretend I don’t,” said Gary.
He praised his staff, including Rhonda Richer who worked closely with Janie, who give their free time to help with the course.
Janie, who is now a qualified master diver, hopes to become an instructor, working around the world and to be part of the Navy’s search and recovery team.
Source: www.echo-news.co.uk
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