@drdwmcmillan's podcast portfolio by David W McMillan

In this episode hosts Briera and David sit down to talk about adaptive scuba, which is one way that persons with disability can experience the wonders of the undersea universe. Rosemary is an experienced adaptive diver and board member of the non-profit Therapeutic Scuba Institute (TSI) and director of TSI’s Camp Open S.E.A.S. (Science Education and Adaptive Scuba) where youth with disability learn about marine ecology and ocean conservation while diving in the Florida Keys. Jazz is an adaptive-diver-in-training and keen environmentalist, excited to trade the sounds of the city for the sea’s serenity. Throughout the episode Rosemary and Jazz introduce us to the benefits that scuba provides to them, and also how diving allows them to return the favor and benefit the oceans in return. Join us on this journey to learn about the reciprocal exchange of health between divers and the ocean they dive in.

Climate change effects us all, but disproportionately impacts certain regions and people. In South East (S.E.) Florida, warming temperatures are ushering in stronger, wetter, slower-moving storms; and persons with disability have unique requirements when preparing for these climate emergencies. Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, South Florida Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems, and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, teamed up with local disability community organizations to learn about hurricane preparedness in South Floridian's living with spinal cord injury (SCI). This episode drills in on how these coastal residents prepare for hurricanes, and the results of a resent research study that sought to learn more about disability and preparing for climate emergencies. The lessons learned from examples in this population tell a larger story about mobility impairment and emergency management in general.

University of Miami Marine Science researchers in the laboratory of Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles are using science to learn how and why certain corals are resisting "bleaching." Their research indicates that a coral's immune system might play a key role in understanding coral resilience, placing this emerging field of study at the forefront of climate change and health. However, there is still much to be learned from the corals... so long as their defenses can protect them from bleaching before we have the chance.