When Timmy Rochon vacationed with his family, he made only small dives while his family went scuba diving. The Windham teen felt left out and wanted to do more – he wanted to become a certified diver.

Timmy, who has born with a rare genetic disorder, eventually obtained his diving certification.

Because of remarkable improvements he made as a result of scuba diving, Timmy inspired his grandfather and others to start a camp where other cognitively impaired people can also enjoy the adventures of diving and reap benefits from it.

This is the third year that a half-dozen people will attend the one-week camp.

Among them will be a young man from Pelham.

Timmy’s family has organized a local fundraiser to support the program.

“It’s a life enhancement camp for kids like Tim,” said Nate Boutwell, Timmy’s stepfather.

“It opens the doors for a lot of other things in life. We never thought Timmy could achieve scuba diving, and his mother had always been very protective and never really wanted him to try it.”

But thanks to Timmy’s diving, Nate and Timmy’s mother, LeeAnn Rochon- Boutwell, have seen remarkable changes in their son. He is more confident and independent, has three jobs, and understands the importance of setting goals.

“He’ll look at anything and take it on,” Nate said.

“He’s more motivated to do things that I don’t think he would have risked trying to do or we would have let him,” LeeAnn said.

While vacationing a few years ago in Little Cayman, one of the sister islands of Grand Cayman, Timmy’s family met Ron Thompson, a diving instructor. He worked with Timmy and realized that he and Timmy’s grandfather, John Johnston, both had a dream.

Thompson wanted to work with the handicapped, although he didn’t expect to work with the cognitively impaired.

Johnston wanted to give opportunities in scuba diving to other cognitively impaired kids.

The In-Water Experience Camp for the Cognitively Impaired was developed by Johnston, Little Cayman Beach Resort and Reef Divers, and the Oceans for Youth Foundation.

The foundation, based in Naples, Fla., promotes underwater education and an appreciation and respect for the ocean in young people.

The camp, held at the resort, is open to participants 16 and older who work one-on- one with an instructor.

Through donations, the foundation covers the cost for campers and a parent or caregiver to attend the program.

The week includes other activities, such as sailing, nature walks, kayaking, fishing and games on the beach.

Organizers, whose mission is to promote self-respect, self-reliance and independence among participants, have witnessed campers improve their motor skills and communication skills.

“It’s exciting to watch the transition,” said Ruth Lowther, the camp’s administrator. “The excitement builds as time goes on.”

Timmy has Cornelia De Lange Syndrome, a genetic disorder. One of the characteristics of CdLS is delayed intellectual development.

Timmy, now 22, likes scuba diving because he can enjoy warm water and being with his family. Scuba diving gives him the feeling of being free.

His family attends the camp every year and Timmy has become a camp counselor. He looks forward to camp year-round.

“This whole camp has broken down many barriers for these kids,” Boutwell said. “It allows (the campers) to get out into the real world and become productive in a normal every day life in a lot of aspects.”

One camper, an autistic boy from California, was angry and would never speak.

By the week’s end, he had enjoyed the program so much he wanted to take speech classes and share the experience with his friends.

It’s not only the campers who benefit. So, too, do the protective caregivers and parents who see what the campers can do and learn to let go.

“The parents see their child do something they never thought they would be able to do,” LeeAnn said.

Jeffrey Newcomb, 22, of Pelham, will be attending the camp this summer. He has Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, a neurological disorder.

Jeff’s parents, Linda and Ed Newcomb, will be going with him. Linda hopes Jeff will benefit not only from learning how to scuba dive but also from the social interaction with others.

“He’s very excited,” said Linda. “He loves anything to do with fishing and water. He’s excited about learning (how to scuba dive.)”