Sub Sea Systems, Inc. (SSS), a company specialising in immersive, memorable and hands-on encounters that educate through entertainment, has revealed that SeaTREK operator Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium (WOW) in Missouri, US, is planning to develop an accessible programme.
The programme is inspired by the experience of Lola Sender, a young woman with quatriplegic cerebral palsy, who has recently participated in a SeaTREK Out to Sea Shark Dive.
WOW offers a world-first SeaTREK experience, in which participants wear a SeaTREK helmet and descend into a shark cage, to come “face-to-fin” with resident sand tiger sharks, brown sharks, and Atlantic goliath groupers.
Respectful, confident experience
16-year-old Lola Sender had wanted to do a shark dive for some time. She took part in the dive experience with her mother, Melissa Sender, who says she was “surprised and amazed that we were met by such a positive response” when she asked WOW if the experience would be possible given her daughter’s disability.
WOW is the winner of the 2024 SeaTREK Operator of the Year award, which recognises the SeaTREK staff and overall programme for its professionalism and exceptional guest experience.
“The entire team was amazing. Often, because Lola is nonverbal, people speak to her as if she doesn’t understand, or they interact with me instead while she sits there, hearing everything, feeling awkward.
“That was not the experience at Wonders of Wildlife at all. She said she was so grateful that ‘everyone just talked to her normally, not like she was a baby because she is tiny’. This is also not always her experience and as a mom I can’t thank WOW enough for showing her such a high level of respect.
“I understand that Lola is the first participant with this level of needs, and from our experience, I would have NEVER guessed that. The team handled the whole encounter with a high level of professionalism and confidence. They had clearly planned ahead and worked with me to make sure that everything went smoothly.
“They allowed Lola an opportunity to do something that many able-bodied people wouldn’t choose to do, with a level of ease that allowed her to feel like her disability didn’t matter or negatively impact her. Her able-bodied peers were amazed and impressed. She finally felt like she stood out for something cool instead of standing out for being the kid with the disability. Those opportunities are few and far between.”
SeaTREK program
The experience was conducted by WOW staff SeaTREK guide Lauren Weiss, training coordinator Keifer Cox, surface attendant Briley Dotterweich, surface photographer Cynthia Hines, and guest services Matt Long.
Inspired by Lola Sender and this experience, WOW plans to develop an accessible SeaTREK programme for guests with disabilities.
“I spend a lot of time trying to ensure that Lola understands that while she can’t do some things independently, there is still a whole world of opportunities out there that she can do,” says Melissa Sender.
“This experience helped to strengthen her understanding that she is limitless in so many ways too. I know that there are other parents in my shoes who would like for their child to have this opportunity, and other people with disabilities who would love to feel the way that Lola did.”
The visit exemplifies Sub Sea Systems’ mission to make the underwater world accessible. Sub Sea is working with SeaTREK operators worldwide to provide more Adapted (underwater wheelchair) locations.
The Adapted programme was recognised at IAAPA Expo 2024, where it won two Brass Ring Awards.
