This post about my losing the ability to dance is old but still valid. I “dance” like only I can in parties and people dance with me and (in the past) Soca Scooter with no problem but I still yearn for the days when I could move freely without a thought. Additionally, ballroom dancing, Indian dance (a style I’d have loved to learn) and everything else is out. I have seen someone ballroom dance in a wheelchair so that is a possibility but I don’t use a chair (honestly I tried to use one on my own in a store once and absolutely failed) and I’m not convinced that ballroom dancing in a scooter is a possibility. As a result, I have to find things that I can do and hopefully discover that I enjoy.
One of the things that I want to do is skydive. Years ago, I had an opportunity to do it and I absolutely refused to pay $200 and sign my life away to jump out a plane that is howmanythousands of miles up in the sky. Maybe it’s because the MS has stripped away some things I want/like to do or maybe these days, my mindset is “life is too damn short and u only have one to live” but now? I want to go skydiving. The problem is that when it’s time to land, the jumper has to tuck their knees to their chest. Allyuh know that right at that moment, I will not be able to bend those legs and put them anywhere so best I don’t go jump out anybody plane. Now admittedly, I haven’t completely explored if there are options out there for the disabled – I exchanged a few emails with one facility and those didn’t really get anywhere – so it’s something that I might get into at some point.
remember I shared that OB was here for a short time in April so I decided to take a couple days off and was thinking about what trouble we could get into and I remembered that there is an indoor flying facility in Atlanta. Essentially, you get the skydiving experience/feeling without actually jumping out of a plane. I called the facility to find out what options I had. In fact, my biggest concern was IF I’d be able to do it and then if I couldn’t fly would I be refunded (cuz it was pricier than I’d expected). I explained my issues as best I could and fella on the phone assured me that I’d be able to fly. Okaaay then, well lehwe go.
the cost includes a crash classroom training session where u watch a short video and learn the different hand signals that may be used by the instructor who stays with u in the wind tunnel and all the gear u need to fly. So you don’t experience the moment that one would actually jump out the plane – the free fall, but you experience the “floating on air” sensation after the parachute is opened. Everything happens in a vertical cylindrical wind tunnel in which air blows from below at 80 mph and faster. I entered the classroom all the while not worried but eager to explain my issues to whomever. I mean, clearly I’m not normal because I was in my scooter but surely they needed to know exactly what we were dealing with right? well, Ryan (the instructor) said very excitedly when he saw me approaching, “are u flying with me today?” I said yes and he said “great!!” but he made no moves to come talk to me. Hmmmmm…We watched the video and he told us where to go to get our suits. At that point, I felt like I had to say something cuz getting in the tunnel and being thrown around did not appeal to me. I went over and started my spiel…”my hand curls up…I can’t stretch out this arm…blahblahblah”. As I spoke Ryan was looking at me as if he was just waiting for me to finish, and then he said, “I’m not worried about you in there. Not at all, u’ll see. trust me, u’ll be just fine.” I mentioned how i tend to put my faith in people in these kind of situations in my rock climbing post, so once again, i “gearsed up”. Allyuh guess what? He was right! He helped me walk up to the tunnel opening and I was on my own after that. Now he stayed in the tunnel with everyone to ensure that we were stabilised cuz we were all first timers but if someone had just walked up and seen me in there, they would have never guessed that I had anything going on. I thought it would be more exhilarating but it was lots of fun nonetheless.
Afterwards I found out that iFLY (the name of the facility) offers an “All Abilities” night monthly. Turns out that one night every month, they offer a half price opportunity for people with all disabilities: “All Abilities Night at iFLY is a unique event that makes the dream of flight a reality for those in the special needs community”. Anyone with any disability who is interested in flying can book time and get to do so without issue. Guess who will be going back to take advantage of that offer? I missed the opportunity in April because I waited too long and the time slots that worked for me were sold out. I’ve been all over the site like white on rice this month so as soon as they announce the date in May, I’ll book my time.
I have a video of my experience but for whatever reason, i can’t get it to play so you just have to use your imagination to see me in that wind tunnel 🙂
Life is too short…live like there’s no tomorrow!