We (Rosanna and I) arrived in Lake Elsinore the night before the dive. Filled with a sense of adventure and excitement, that flowed into the next morning, when we awoke. I think it’s one thing, when it comes to skydiving, but another thing to bring a couple more wheelchair users. I thought a couple more people would like to come along and share the experience too. We had two other wheelchair users that made the commitment to live life to the fullest, as well. This is what the Threus Foundation is all about; stepping out of your comfort zone and not letting your disability dictate what you can or cannot do!
Leah O. and Oswaldo H., with their families, came to enjoy this life changing experience.
The dive was an interesting mind freak. First we faced the flight to 12,000 feet. Watching the ground get smaller and smaller. I went through various thoughts as the time to jump got closer. The main thought was my fear of falling. I had a surge of adrenaline and had arguments within my head that needed to be comforted. I was reassured by my instructor throughout the journey. The way I dealt with my thoughts were reminded that this is “Safe”. Hundreds of people enjoy this each weekend with no problems to fight the fears. My mind was racing as we approached 12,000 feet.
We got to the appropriate altitude and opened the sliding door. We inched over to the opening and the inevitable happened, we exited the safety of the plane doing a front flip. We made it through the toughest part, exiting the plane. As we descended, it felt more like floating with the camera woman. Time seemed to stand still. I had time to think and thought “So this is what skydiving feels like!”
Then BAM, Mike pulled the chute and we had time to enjoy the view from 5000 feet. We sailed down slowly to the awaiting landing pad. Once we landed, it was hard to put any words to this experience. Motivating, empowering and exhilarating are the words I could use. I think a person should experience it for themselves.
You can see Leah here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4KhYzQrzw4
You can see Joe here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_037gCl82Yk
You can see Rosanna here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xFYOVZI99o
The people who, also use wheelchairs, went with us had dreams fulfilled and had this to say:
“Hi how are you and Rosanna weird because I was just thinking about you guys yesterday and now I get a message from you ... good to hear from you... Of course you can put my video up... Everyone in my family couldn't believe I jumped out of the plane. I told everyone about ur foundation... I told them that you guys made it happen for me and it's Best experience I've ever had I can't believe I did it.. I want to go again are you serious.??? Yayyyyy 1 thank U !
Leah Ortiz via Facebook
“ Joe, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
Oswaldo Hernandez via Facebook
Our experiences were life changing for the better, you may see more of this in fall, around my 40th birthday. More importantly we fulfilled our mission as an organization, “Improving the lives of wheelchair users through adventure sports.”
We can now check sky diving off the list.
We can now check sky diving off the list.
