Nurse by day, scuba instructor by night
Deb Dudek has a passion for her career, but one of her other passions aside from her day job lies under the water. She is a certified scuba instructor teaching handicapped youth and adults how to scuba dive.
“There is no limit to disability or age when they are in the water,” Dudek says, nurse clinician in the pain management department at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.
Many of the individuals she teaches are paraplegics or have had spinal cord injuries. Dudek has even traveled to other countries to help with the program. Dudek helps individuals learn a hobby that is different and exciting while boosting their confidence and helping them to believe in themselves. The students are able to push themselves out of their comfort zone.
“Everybody should have the chance to feel proud of something. Sometimes, we all need a little bit of help,” Dudek says.
Dudek volunteers with the Illinois Institute of Diving in Glen Ellyn, which donates the space to dive.
“I feel truly blessed, fortunate and very passionate in this endeavor to give back not only to the community and this country, but to the sport of scuba diving,” she says.
Through November 21, join Advocate Health Care to give back this month. Snap and share your photos of you making a difference in the community. Just follow @AdvocateHealth on Instagram and hashtag your photos with #AdvocateGivesBack. Click here for more details.
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health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.
