Surviving cancer can mess someone up mentally. For Leo Morales, scuba diving helped him overcome depression from losing a leg to an aggressive form of cancer and break a few world records in the process.
A new book, “Dive-abled: The Leo Morales Story,” written by author Eric Douglas, chronicles Morales’ account of how he went from “having it all” to surviving cancer and then dealing with the depression the resultant loss of his leg brought about. When a friend invited him to try diving as a form of physical therapy, he was hooked and hasn’t looked back.
Morales has since completed two world records for a disabled diver. He dove to more than 400 feet/122 meters deep on his first world record dive. His second record dive involved swimming more than 15 kilometers/9.3 miles underwater across the Cozumel Marine Park without surfacing. He plans to complete a third world-record dive in the coming year.
Douglas, the book’s author, says:
“I first met Leo the day he completed his second world record dive in the Cozumel (Mexico) Marine Park. I was amazed at what he had to say and what he had just accomplished. I was also struck with how matter-of-fact Leo was about his accomplishment. He simply wanted to show others how important it was to never give up. His mantra is ‘Nothing is Impossible’ and he embodies that sentiment.”
The two recorded dozens of hours of interviews to prepare the biography, which will debut at the DEMA Show in Orlando, Florida next week.
Douglas adds:
“This is an inspirational story. Leo faced unimaginable circumstances, but has come through them. It isn’t a fairy tale, either. He faced challenges and depression and he struggled. He still struggles, but his faith, his family and the ocean give him the strength to continue moving forward.”
“Dive-abled: The Leo Morales Story” is available in softcover for US$11.99/10.30 Euros and as an ebook for $6.99/6 Euros at bookstores and online.
