Adapt-able Foundation

Kari-Ann served in the US Navy and retired from Civil Service with the Federal Aviation Administration in an Air Traffic Control Executive management position in 2014.  

After her retirement, Kari-Ann had a chance to live out a childhood dream of learning to Scuba dive.  She earned her first certification in 2017, and is now a Master Scuba Diver and Divemaster.  Her continued desire to serve led her to pursue advanced training in Adaptive Scuba and start assisting others to experience the magic of Scuba and the excitement of doing what they might not ever have thought possible!  She earned her Diveheart Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy, Handicapped Scuba Association Professional Buddy, and PADI Adaptive Techniques Specialty to support her continued desire to serve others.

Kari-Ann’s 25 years of management experience, focus on service, as well as her sense of adventure and curiosity has put her in a unique position to serve as President and co-founder of Adapt-Able Foundation

Carl Cogdill started volunteering with Easterseals, ARC and tutoring troubled kids in Midland Texas around age 12. At age 25 after an automotive accident causing a T4 SCI and paralysis, he shifted volunteering from the cognitive area to more athletics focused programs.

The change was inspired while in the hospital by a visit from Concho Valley Disabled Sports Association volunteers. He learned just how different life would be and what was needed to continue forward with a full life. He started off playing wheelchair Basketball, football, baseball 5k, 10k, marathons and mini triathlons. All those sports went to the side after the first tennis ball was hit. Tennis was now the main athletic focus. He was able to achieve a world ranking, win several tournaments and coach others in the able-bodied and adaptive sports world. Fully retiring from coaching and playing something was needed to keep an active lifestyle.

2016 rolled around and SCUBA was discovered. After going to several dive shops, the lack of a more inclusive system was noticed. Changes needed to be made so everyone could enjoy the physical, spiritual, and psychological benefits of SCUBA. With that in mind the Open Water course was completed with no modifications, just innovations and adapting to make things work. Wanting to share this new world, he completed the courses to allow him to become a PADI Divemaster.  Being a professional looking for a program with like-minded people was next on the agenda. He then met Kari-Ann who was presenting at a local dive club and it was an instant connection!  

Carl loves the fact that Adapt-Able Foundation is founded and run by people that are part of the community. Always looking for ways to “ADAPT” and grow without losing focus on the individuals.

 REMEMBER  “I can, you can, together we will”