Adaptive diving was discussed at the pavilion of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia at VDNH

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The pavilion “Made by Us” of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia continues to surprise. On June 8, an amazing man - the first Russian para-traveler, para-alpinist and inventor of the world's first self-propelled underwater wheelchair Igor Skikevich - spoke here. Thanks to his efforts Russia becomes a pioneer of sport adaptive diving or para-diving.

At the meeting with the guests of the Exposition, Igor Skikevich told an amazing story of his life. At the age of 42 he fell ill with influenza. The illness led to complications, and the infection reached the spine. The severe progression of the disease resulted in Skikevich being paralyzed, necessitating the removal of one of the cervical vertebrae. Following this event, doctors predicted that he wouldn't be able to walk, let alone sit.

The guests of the pavilion saw a movie showing how he came back to life after a serious illness and what he eventually managed to achieve.

"I realized that the most important thing for a person is a dream. From birth we are given a lot of things, first of all, intelligence, will. Together with the dream, it helped to bring myself back to life. It is by the power of my thoughts, hopes and ideas, especially my love for traveling,” said Igor Skikevich after the screening of the movie.

Skikevich's favorite mascot is a child's tumble toy. At the first stages of rehabilitation, he simply learned to hold a pencil. An incredible will and thirst for life helped him make progress. He learned to draw, to play the piano. And in 2015 he was able to take part in an expedition in the Sea of Japan, during which the Victory Banner was hoisted underwater in memory of the submariners who died during the Great Patriotic War.

"Never, under any circumstances, never give up. And then everything is possible,” Igor Skikevich emphasized several times during the meeting.

His achievements are a confirmation of this motto. In 2017, Skikevich developed and patented a self-propelled wheelchair “Barracuda”, on which a person with lower limb paralysis can make underwater journeys at a depth of up to 30 meters. This is the first such device in the world. The “Barracuda” project became a prize winner of the Presidential Grants Fund in 2020.

Thanks to the breakthrough invention, Skikevich together with like-minded people managed to open a diving school for the disabled. This is far from the only result. Being in a wheelchair, he jumped from a parachute, made a flight on a jet airplane, climbed rocks in Peter the Great Bay on the shore of the Sea of Japan. He also made a solo trans-Russian trip Sevastopol - Shikotan and became the winner of the geographical Oscar - the prestigious international award “Crystal Compass”.

The meeting with Igor Skikevich in the “Made by Us” pavilion of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia is another confirmation and a living illustration of the faithfulness of our country's chosen strategy in the sphere of economy and industry: a correctly set goal and faith in one's own strength will definitely lead to success.