Scuba Diving with John Harris

John Harris, 17, was paralyzed from the waist down in a motorcycle accident last year. The teen and his sister Ashley, 19, have taken up scuba diving. On July 6, 2011 they completed their first open water dive at White Star Park in Gibsonburg, Ohio. They were accompanied by instructor Jeff Davis and dive specialist Jason Thor. CLICK ANY IMAGE TO VIEW FULL PHOTO, START SLIDE SHOW.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Instructor Jeff Davis helps get John Harris under control during his first open water dive at White Star Park. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo John Harris goes over his pre-dive plan with scuba instructor Jeff Davis at White Star Park in Gibsonburg. Harris ... THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo John's father, Rod Harris, and sister, Ashley Harris, listen as he talks through the dive plan with instructor Jeff Davis. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo From left, Ashley, John, and Rod Harris prepare their dive gear. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo John Harris jokes with instructor Jeff Davis as father Rod Harris wheels his him toward the water's edge. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Scuba instructor Jeff Davis, left, and dive control specialist Jason Thor carry John Harris down to the water. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Ashley Harris helps her brother John Harris check his equipment. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Instructor Jeff Davis, left, holds onto John Harris as he dips under the water. Ashley Harris and Jason Thor look on. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Dive instructor Jeff Davis brings John Harris to the surface of the water. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo John's sister Ashley Harris prepares for her first open water dive as father Rod Harris watches from shore. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo John Harris, floating, sister Ashley Harris and instructor Jeff Davis prepare to go for a dive. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Ashley Harris, left, and brother John Harris, left, pause as fish swim past. They are trailed by dive control specialist ... THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo John Harris, right, swims using his hands as he and sister Ashley Harris, left, scuba dive in White Star Park. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Instructor Jeff Davis signals to Ashley Harris, left, and John Harris, right, to come up a little, during their first ... THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Weights are secured to John Harris's ankles to keep his body level in the water. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Dive instructor Jeff Davis signals to Ashley Harris, left, an John Harris, right, asking if they are OK. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo In the water, John Harris, left, finds a new sense of freedom despite his paralyzed legs. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo John Harris, right, gets a high-five from instructor Jeff Davis as he and sister Ashley, left, complete their first ... THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo John Harris, center, sister Ashley Harris, right, and dive control specialist Jason Thor, left, head back toward shore. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo John Harris basks in the warm sun after completing his first open water dive at White Star Park in Gibsonburg. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Ashley Harris talks with her brother John Harris as he floats in the water completing their dive. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Instructor Jeff Davis and dive control specialist Jason Thor, left, carry John Harris out of the water as his father ... THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Rod Harris pushes his son John back toward the vehicle after he and sister Ashley, right, finished their dive. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

Enlarge | Buy This Photo John Harris is all smiles after completing his first open water dive. He is now a certified open-water diver. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON