Phil Kommer’s Story

DiveHeart1

By Hinsdale Magazine

How did you first become involved with Diveheart?

It’s a funny story on how I got involved as a volunteer with Diveheart around eighteen years ago. It all started when my dive buddy and Diveheart Adaptive instructor Bob Hemmidinger, tried talking me into volunteering. I told him I’d be happy to work with veterans, but had a fear of being responsible for kids. He assured me that Diveheart worked with veterans. So I showed up at the next pool event at 8am on a Saturday, and all I saw was kids. I said, where are the veterans? He said, they get here at noon, now get in the water and help us out. I reluctantly did help with the kids and after that I fell in love and I was hooked. I work as a facilities engineer at Edward-Elmhurst hospital and I was just a recreational diver before working with Diveheart. I had no experience in working with people with disabilities before that either. Now I am a Divemaster, and am confident that my adaptive scuba training and experience has helped me become a better diver and adaptive dive buddy. I’ve had so many wonderfully moving experiences that have brought me to tears it’s hard to keep track or pick out a favorite one. It’s like asking a five year old what their favorite ice cream is. I’ve seen some participants really overcome their fear and come out of the water exclaiming I did it, I did it. It really builds confidence. After a Diveheart pool session the kids go to school on Monday and the “able bodied kids” ask what they did over the weekend.

They say, Oh I went scuba diving. Whaaaaaat? Oh yeah, here’s some pics of me playing catch at the bottom of the pool! Now the term “Special” takes on a whole new meaning. They become special for what they CAN do, not what they can’t. That confidence effects these kids in so many ways. Little kids I worked with years ago are now teens or older. I can see over time the long-term effects of our work. I have received some recognition as someone who is involved with the community through my employer who has made a modest donation in my name to Diveheart. My wife worked with the Philanthropic department of her company to grant a sizable donation. Anytime a situation arises where we can help the organization, we try to. Neither of us has a lot of free time, so we do what we can. If someone asked me what the best part of volunteering with Diveheart is, I would say the feeling I get seeing the smiles and the look of accomplishment on our participants faces. There’s nothing like it. I feel like the most selfish person in the world at times because of the amazing feeling I get working with our participants. And anybody can feel that way by just helping out. No task is too small. I think that Diveheart participants and volunteers are both positively affected ,and you can tell by the smiles.

Author

Executive Chef Stephen Langlois

Feeding His Passion: Newly appointed Chef Stephen takes the helm at The Westin Chicago Lombard

The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM

Celebrating A Century of Open Road: Now in its 100th year, this slice of Americana still beckons travelers

Tely Nagle, Drake Hotel Proprietor, in the Romanesque gardens
Photo by Victor Hilitski

Welcome In! The Drake Oak Brook’s elegance and charm are back to stay

ATJMAH_CM_2223

Striking the Right Note: The Chicago Youth Orchestra shapes the lives of aspiring young musicians

The camaraderie of the volunteers often keeps them involved after their student graduates

Always Boosting: Hinsdale Central’s Booster Club helps fill gaps in student activity and athletic budgets

Anne Schultz, MD, FACP Cindy Lagone, MD, FACP

Authentic Internal Medicine: Building relationships with patients and the community

Hair loss problem after covid search Instagram Post Minimalist -

Is hair loss on your mind? Reclaim Your Crowning Glory

Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
Owen turned 4 in June and recently received an award from the Clarendon Hills Public Library for having had 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten.

The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

An open book: Clarendon Hills four-year-old earns library recognition

Charlie Tomfohrde and his array of house plants for sale at the Hinsdale Farmers Market

A Budding Entrepreneur: Charlie Tomfohrde’s plant business continues to grow

Terri Doney (left) and co-founder Barb Thayer are “sisters” in the group, My Breast Cancer Sisters

Breast Cancer survivors: Hinsdale area group looking for others to help

Maxx Klein and Jack Klein

Airoom’s New Design Space Maxx and Jack Klein take the helm of their family’s business

IMG_4543

Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club A Tennis Player’s Dream