The Lion's Pride vol. 4 (June 2015) | Page 62

varied and from my viewpoint very fair: Birdman got a promotion and significant pay raise for his part in what happened, and Edderman received a commendation and my sincere thanks, but Acker in contrast was not only fired but he received a black mark in the industry preventing him from ever finding work as a diver in addition to being charged with criminal negligence. Looking back at it now, years later, I find that I am actually grateful for the accident that nearly took my life. Going through that experience relieved me from my invincibility complex, and in overcoming the struggles that were the aftermath I grew exponentially as a person. I will never forget the panic, the terror, and the calm resignation that came with realizing what I believed an inevitable end. The joy of awakening, finding that I was alive, and discovering new appreciations f