Amber Rangel

She is….an adaptive scuba diver. My name is Amber Rangel. I grew up in the Midwest, only an hour from Chicago. I was always in the water. I was only 19 years old.

Whether it be swimming, waterskiing or kayaking. When I was 7 i joined the the Ski Broncs a waterski show team. I was on the team for about 6 years before I decided to train strictly for barefoot water skiing. In July 2015, two weeks before my national competition, I fell and injured my spinal cord. I am a C5 incomplete quadriplegic. This means I have no movement below my arms and no fine motor in my hands. I was in the ICU for five days before I headed to an inpatient rehab. I spent almost five months relearning how to do day to day tasks. With my new fear of the water even taking a shower was unbearable. Just the thought of the water hitting my skin took me back to that traumatizing day on the river. Everything about the water creeped me out. With a spinal cord injury it is impossible to regulate body temperature. The cold was like needles on my skin. I knew I needed to conquer that fear before I let it consume me. Baby steps is what it took. Pretty soon I was able to get in the pool a few times while in rehab with the help of my physical therapists. Once I returned to my parents house I started to fall into a depression. Almost everything with completely flipped around. My family and friends reached out to me with many ideas to get me out of the house and stay active. Just two months after leaving rehab, I showed up for my first adaptive snow skiing lesson! Two volunteers at the event really helped bring back my desire and curiosity for thrill seeking and adventure. They then invited me to a Diveheart event the following week. Diveheart is an organization that uses scuba therapy to help people with cognitive or physical disabilities. I was very skeptical about the idea. How were they going to take a quadriplegic underwater? Is this safe? Where is this going to take place? I was nervous when I showed up but everyone was so welcoming and made me feel comfortable. At this point I was still afraid to have water hit my face so i chose to use a full face mask. My DiveHeart team successfully got me underwater that morning. I’m so glad I pushed myself to get into the water that day .Diving has given me to confidence to conquer my fear of the water. After about a year of pool dives i won a scholarship through Divehearts amigo program. This gave my sister and me the opportunity to go to Cozumel to become open water certified. After this trip I was hooked! I continued to do pool, pond, and quarry dives for the next nine months. On a whim, I decided to join Diveheart in Utila Honduras in September 2016. I was warned not to bring my power chair because there wouldn't be a way to get it onto the island. So, I was off to Utila in my hand me down manual chair. I spent the week with a group of students learning the diveheart curriculum to be able to come a adaptive buddy. When I dive I have a team of 3 or 4 people with me at all times. They also are trained to do transfers to and from my wheelchair. While I was there these students were able to get hands on experience that their text book could never offer. Scuba diving has helped me grow in places i didn't think possible. It has and will continue to show me new places to explore. Unfortunately not all the locations I'd like to visit are accessible or even allow adaptive diving but I hope in the future, I can change that. Scuba diving, for me, is about being looked at as an able body and not a wheelchair user. Diving allows me to be weightless, a feeling I can't feel on land. She is brave and she will go where she pleases.

09/27/2025

5 days • 84 miles • Desolation Canyon

Rapids conquered , canyon walls admired , marshmallows toasted to perfection . But beyond the adventure, it was the friendships, laughter, and shared moments that made this trip unforgettable.

“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.” – James N. Watkins

Grateful for every mile, every memory, and the incredible people along the way. See you downstream! 🌄✨

08/25/2025

Last spring, I wrapped up 20+ substitute teaching assignments, and today I completed my first one of the new school year. 👩‍🏫

Substitute teaching has been such a meaningful way to stay connected with students, serve my community, and keep growing in the classroom. While it isn’t my long-term career path, every assignment has taught me something valuable about leadership, patience, and communication.

I’m excited that I’m officially applying to law school for Fall 2026. This next chapter is about building on all of these experiences and moving closer to my goal of becoming an advocate in the legal field.

As part of this journey, I’ll be needing STRONG letters of recommendation. If you’ve seen my dedication firsthand — whether through teaching, community work, or other projects — and would be open to supporting me in this way, I would be incredibly grateful. 💙

-Video from Grand Canyon 2025

07/15/2025

Upper San Juan River, Mexican Hat. July 2025
THANK YOU ABILITY360 & BOEC

07/07/2025

🚐💦 Headed to raft the San Juan River! 🏞️✨

I’m off on another adaptive outdoor adventure — this time exploring the stunning canyons and winding waters of the San Juan River. The most popular stretch in southern Utah, where the river cuts through stunning red rock canyons between Sand Island (near Bluff, UT) and Mexican Hat!!!

Huge shoutout to (Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center) and for making trips like this possible and leading the way in inclusive outdoor recreation.

Grateful for the chance to connect with nature, challenge myself, and build community on the river. Stay tuned for stories from the water! 🌊♿

07/01/2025

My internship at Dady Law is officially underway, and it’s already been incredibly meaningful and informative. Immigration has always been close to my heart—my mother’s father came from Germany, and my father’s father came from Mexico. I’ve seen firsthand how immigration shapes families and futures.

As part of my role, I’ll be creating social media content—like reels and infographics—to help individuals and families navigate the U.S. immigration process. My goal is to share information, answer questions, and help make this process feel a little less overwhelming.

Follow along to learn, test your knowledge, and get helpful tips for your immigration journey. 🇺🇸💙 https://www.instagram.com/dlg_justice/
https://www.facebook.com/DLGJustice

Let us help you with your immigration matter. We know the law and we know your rights. Call us first.

06/23/2025

This is what access looks like.

Eight days. 226 miles. One Grand Canyon. And a team that showed up for every step, every lift, every moment.

Thank you to High Fives, Ability360, and Grand Canyon Whitewater for making the impossible possible—and to the crew who carried more than just a chair. You carried me through a life-changing experience.

06/02/2025

Subject: Out of Office: June 2–14

Hello,

Thank you for your message. I am currently out of the office from June 3 through June 13 on a Grand Canyon rafting expedition before beginning my summer law internship. I will have no access to service during this time.

I will respond to your message as soon as possible after I return. If your matter is urgent, please feel free to note "URGENT" in the subject line and I will do my best to respond promptly upon my return.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Best regards,
Amber Rangel

03/28/2025

I Got My Driving Permit Again! 🚗💨

A few years ago, I tried to teach myself how to drive—let’s just say the front yard tree won that battle. 🌳😂 I dodged driving school back then, but now, thanks to Illinois Vocational Rehab, I have the funding and support to attend Strive for Independence, the only adaptive driving school in Illinois!

Big shoutout to my dad for covering my gas and my mom for driving me to Lombard for lessons—though, let’s be real, they probably just want me out of the house. 😂💀 Excited for this journey!

01/17/2025

🌟 Life Update! 🌟

It’s been an exciting start to the year, and I wanted to share what I’ve been up to:

🎓 School: I’m taking the February LSAT and working toward becoming a Fall 2026 JD candidate. I’m also exploring Recognition & Accreditation (R&A) Programs with the DOJ and Non-Profits to deepen my understanding and impact in this field while applying for law school.

💪 Community: I’m running for Belvidere Park District Commissioner this spring and am proud to be a member of the League of Women Voters, working toward positive change in our community.

⛷️ Adaptive Sports: I’ve been making amazing strides on the slopes! I’ve completed 4 bi-ski snow ski lessons, sized down my ski, and can now use hand-held outriggers. Adaptive skiing has been such an empowering journey!

✈️ Travel: I just renewed my passport—where to next? I’d love suggestions for my next adventure!

📺 YouTube: My channel is growing, and I’d love your input! What kind of content would you like to see? More adaptive sports? Behind-the-scenes of the campaign? How I prepare for the LSAT? Life updates? OR are we feeling a podcast/interview vibe? Drop your ideas in the comments—I want to create content that inspires and connects with you!

Thank you to everyone who’s been part of my support system. Here’s to more growth and success in 2025! 🙌

10/31/2024

UPDATE:
Remember about that Media Production Certificate I got before University......

Well, I was recently accepted into a competitive Film and TV Workforce Training program for the Fall of 2024. Rock Valley College and the Illinois Film Office have been fabulous educators and mentors. This will help me get a job, build my entertainment network, and learn valuable skills! My dream is to be a sports/entertainment lawyer, but we all have to start somewhere.

If you haven't already; please SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel. I'll be dropping weekly VLOGS about my life.

https://www.youtube.com/

10/28/2024

I, Amber Rangel, am excited to announce my candidacy for Park Commissioner on the Belvidere Park District Board, where I am seeking to serve as one of three open board members this spring. I hold an Honors Bachelor’s degree in Applied Health Science with a focus on Recreation, Sports, and Tourism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois' top-ranked public university.

As the 2024 Illinois IPRA iLearn Competition Winner, I represented the Oak Brook Park District in developing a comprehensive sustainability committee proposal, including both written and oral presentations. My experience also extends to adaptive programming and DEI initiatives, influenced by my personal journey of recovering from a traumatic sports injury.

I am dedicated to enhancing recreational services for all residents of Belvidere, IL.

If you are a local taxpayer (Belvidere IL address), please consider supporting my campaign by signing my petition. Reach out to me; Your support will help bring a fresh perspective to our community’s parks and programs.

10/01/2024

Life Update:

I'm excited to share a few updates with you all! I recently graduated with Honors from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and I've been focusing on nourishing my relationships and taking better care of my body, mind, and spirit.

I’m also in the process of applying to law schools, which is my hardest saga yet. On top of that, I’m seeking new volunteer opportunities to give back to the community. One of my roles this fall will be serving as an Election Judge in Boone County, so please don't forget to vote!

On a personal note, my 10-year passport is expiring this month, and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has hosted me along the way. The safe spaces you’ve each created are irreplaceable, and I’m so grateful for the memories we’ve made.

Looking forward to the future and grateful for the present. Stay tuned for more updates, and feel free to reach out if you'd like to connect!

Address

Caledonia, IL

Website

https://www.youtube.com/@bamberies

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