¦ April 1, 2008
Sam Schmidt Swims with the Fishes at Florida Aquarium
Also see photo gallery page on SSPF website

Tampa, FL- It was a mix of emotion for Sam Schmidt taking on an old passion for the first time.

Sam Schmidt, former IRL driver: "It's really kind of that flashback to ten years ago, or something, which is really kind of a nice feeling."

Leaving the wheelchair, he's been confined to since an IRL crash in 2000, Sam embarked on what's only been a diving dream: taking the plunge into a five hundred-thousand gallon tank.

Sam Schmidt: "I remember from diving before that it's just a totally different world down there, you know?

Minutes later, paralysis was forgotton, swimming through 2300 friendly fish.

Sam Schmidt: "It's almost like you're normal again."

Sam was joined and cheered on by St. Petersburg's Jennifer French, also an avid diver, injured ten years ago.

Jennifer French:"I'm so excited about Sam because Sam, he was a diver before his injuries in a very similar situation the way I was. It's so exciting to see someone get back in the water and actually find something that they love to do before and realize that they can again."

Always the competitor, now Sam wants a bigger challenge.

Sam: "It's like the first time you go 200 miles an hour, you want to go a little faster and a little faster. Now I'm ready to go deeper and deeper." Both Sam and Jennifer appreciate this opportunity to inspire others through the Florida Aquarium "Swim with the Fishes" program.

Jennifer French: Regardless of whether you're able-bodied or disabled, the world is open to you... If you want to go out and go into a tank you can, if you want to go out biking, if you want go out race cars, if you can find your way to something you have a passion about, you should go out and do it. You'll find a way to do it."

Sam: "Great way to spend an afternoon, that's for sure."

The Florida Aquarium "Swim with the Fishes" Program runs seven days a week for ages 6 and over. The cost is $75 per person. If you're a pro, or just a little more daring, you can try the "Dive with the Sharks." www.flaquarium.net