ATLANTA , Georgia ( CNN ) -- Retired Army Spc . Scott Winkler had many scary encounters while serving in Iraq , but they were nothing compared with his recent experience at the world 's largest aquarium : swimming alongside a massive whale shark . Ret . Army Spc . Scott Winkler , 35 , was paralyzed five years ago during an accident in Iraq . The fact that Winkler , 35 , of Augusta , Georgia , is a paraplegic made the once-in-a-lifetime experience even more challenging . `` It 's like you 're in space , '' Winkler said . `` It 's like you 're an able body again . It makes you feel so free . '' Winkler was paralyzed five years ago during an accident while unloading ammunition in Tikrit , Iraq . He is one of more than two dozen disabled veterans who have participated in the Fish Wish program at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta during the past two months . A separate swim and dive program is open to the public , but the waiting list is nearly full until the end of the year . The experience is n't cheap . A half-hour dive costs $ 290 . The veterans swam for free . Therapeutic recreational specialist Susan Oglesby helps train safety divers at the aquarium to assist swimmers with disabilities . She explained there are very few limitations in the tank . Watch more on veterans swimming with sharks » . `` The water is the great equalizer . Once you get in , you 're floating , you 're weightless , and everybody becomes equal , '' Oglesby said . Winkler was outfitted in a wet suit and snorkeling gear . He rolled his wheelchair down a long ramp to a dock floating in the 6.3 million-gallon tank of salt water . After sliding out of the chair , he took a deep breath and pushed himself into the water . `` It is so amazing , he said . `` It 's like you do n't have a disability , because you 're just floating around with everybody else . ... The fish are just swimming by . It 's a total other world . '' In addition to four 23-foot-long whale sharks , Winkler gazed on a manta ray , hammerhead sharks , goliath grouper and sawfish . He used his arms to move his body around the football-field-size tank . Swimming next to him were two safety divers and Orlando Perez , another young veteran from Augusta . `` It 's beautiful down there ! '' Perez exclaimed . `` It 's peaceful , and you just forget that you 're in a wheelchair . You 're one with the fish . '' Perez , 33 , a retired Army private first class , suffered a spinal cord injury during basic training 13 years ago . Like Winkler , he is confined to a wheelchair . Perez likened the swim experience to floating on air . `` I never thought being disabled would bring me to do something so amazing , '' he said . `` I think it 's about overcoming the disability and not letting the disability overcome you . '' Both Perez and Winkler admitted they were nervous when they first entered in the water . They settled down after being brushed by one of the passing whale sharks . Winkler had a big grin on his face as he talked about the benefits of taking part in the program . `` Mentally , you 're actually taking a stress break from life itself , '' he said . `` Physically , it 's great rehabilitation . Emotionally , your spirit is lifted , and you 're able to enjoy yourself for once . ''
Fish Wish program allows veterans with disabilities to swim with sharks . Program is open to the public , but waiting list is long and cost is $ 290 . Comment: