catfishhunter 2 #1 August 14, 2005 You hear it all the time....if you stay in the sport long enough you will see someone die I thought I was prepared for that.. I thought it meant I would see a Skydiver go in...nothing prepared me to see a mother die in front of her daughter, mother, friends siblings... I can't get the little girls face out of my head screaming mommy come back.... This little girl isn't much older then my own daughter 6 or 7 years old... Nothing prepared me for this...Everyone signs the waiver and writes out that you can DIE skydiving but does anyone really understand it is REAL.... My head is still twisted today....contemplating the many times I have talked my friends into jumping even paying for them to jump...As a matter of fact I was there with a Friend who just turned 18 and has been waiting for the last year to come jump with me... Her attitude about it has been amazing.. she was and is still ready to jump and would have if we had started flying sooner yesterday then they did... Me on the other hand, I'm not so sure I am ready to jump..I know I need to get in the air right away but I keep seeing that sweet innocent little girl screaming for her mommy and think of my own daughter... My heartaches...the sadness in my soul is twisting my insides...my head questions "can I continue in this sport?" "How will you answer the questions from all those you tried to convince they should jump at least once?" "What will they tell my little girl if I go in?"... Then I think about what the first non-skydiver friend I talked yesterday told me...."Whom am I to question God's will? I don't know what God has in store for this little girl. All I can do is pray for God's love to surround her and her family"... I don't remember the last time my head,heart and soul was this twisted... I have been preparing myself for the Day when a skydiver would go in...Nothing prepared me for this... Please Pray for this Woman's Daughter and her Family and JVC who is serious condition with head injuries as well as all of us from Skydive Ogden... BSBD....... MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrEaK_aCcIdEnT 0 #2 August 14, 2005 That poor lil girl! I dont think anyone could prepair themselves for something that severe. Many prayers go out to the family, JVC and everyone there. I can picture one of my nieces(sp?) on the ground and that is a very scary thought. But. My dream is skydiving and I wont let the fear take its toll. as soon as i can afford it i will be going back up! damn poor lil girl!!! edit: I take it that this was a first time tandem for the women. do u have the rest of the story as to what happened to cause this tragic event? ExPeCt ThE uNeXpEcTeD! DoNt MiNd ThE tYpOs, Im LaZy On CoRrEcTiOnS! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivermom 0 #3 August 14, 2005 How sobering. I am a student and I have two little boys. 3 and 7. They love watching me jump but I can't even imagine if they witnessed a horror like that! I guess to me the benefits that this sport provides for my family and myself far outweigh the risks involved. I had to think the same way when I decided if I would let my boys have immunizations. There are terrible risks associated with those, but there can also be wonderful benefits. That is so tragic though. I will certainly be praying for all involved. As far as continuing with the skydiving sport, that is certainly a very, very individual and personal decision. So sorry you had to witness that. God Bless that sweet little girl!Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #4 August 14, 2005 You're right. The whole post. I'm sorry it happened, and that you have that memory in your head now... When my friend went in I wasn't on the DZ that day. It was a fluke; I was supposed to be. I was even signed up to be in the coach course with him, but I withdrew. Then I just couldn't make it to the DZ for some reason. I don't know what would have happened if I had, honestly. I only jumped twice after his passing (March); once to demo for his family, and once for myself... I feel for you and I wish I could help. I have never had to experience what you did, and I am truly saddened that anyone did at all. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #5 August 14, 2005 wow, i'm sorry to hear this.... my vibes (don't really pray) go tto them... even though i am gone from ogden you guys are stil in my thoughts....... here's to hoping jvc fully recovers and is as good as new!!!!!! ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #6 August 14, 2005 If you love the sport, by all means continue. But don't downplay the dangers or overestimate the benefits it provides to your family. Its a dangerous sport, not to mention time consuming and expensive. The only benefit it provides is that it makes YOU feel happy and good about yourself. Yes, in the long run that's important, but to compare it to immunizations? I'm not saying a parent should not skydive, but that's the most bogus rationalization I have ever heard! Accept the fact that skydiving is selfish, and that its OK to be selfish every once in a while. Don't delude yourself into thinking you are actually helping out your family every time you plunk your money down and hurl yourself out of the plane. My thoughts go out to the TM involved. I think I've met and jumped with him before. He's got a rough road ahead of him and I wish him well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #7 August 14, 2005 This is the part of our sport that really gets to me and I can see no way around it. I've never personally known anyone get hurt skydiving and have no wish to (but have paragliding, too many) . My heart goes out to that little kid and all of the friends and family. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #8 August 14, 2005 almost forgot this great quote from someone unknow...... you can do everything right, and still die......... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catfishhunter 2 #9 August 15, 2005 Thank You Wingnut. We miss you too.... MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catfishhunter 2 #10 August 15, 2005 Here is a Picture of JVC with one of my best Friends Tammy before he took her for her First Jump... Please Keep praying for him.....I cannot fathom what he is going to go through once he pulls through the physical trauma MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tr027 0 #11 August 15, 2005 QuoteYou hear it all the time....if you stay in the sport long enough you will see someone die Nothing prepared me for this...Everyone signs the waiver and writes out that you can DIE skydiving but does anyone really understand it is REAL.... IMO and nothing else, if you don't understand that concretely and crystal clear then you are in over your head. Close calls tend to show that, at least for me that's what did it. Basically if you're going to play you'd better be ready to pay. And that's why it's not for everybody and I don't ever flat out unconditionally recommend this sport to newbies, because they don't know if they're up to it. Just sharing my .02"The evil of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it. " -John Galt from Atlas Shrugged, 1957 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 0 #12 August 15, 2005 Vagre, Papa Chile here. My heart goes out to you, JVC, and this lady's loved ones. This sport has inhererent risks which most of us feel we are prepared to deal with. It is often true and unfortunate that when we do come face to face with this we must face our own physical frailty, mortality, and compassion... and often times come to new enlightenment. Tears fill my eyes when reading your post. Prayers will go out to all involved, including you, my friend. Search your soul and decide if you are meant for the sky. ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivermom 0 #13 August 15, 2005 QuoteAccept the fact that skydiving is selfish, and that its OK to be selfish every once in a while. Don't delude yourself into thinking you are actually helping out your family every time you plunk your money down and hurl yourself out of the plane. __________________________________________________ First of all, do you even have a family? When one member is happy and fullfilled, the rest of the family DOES BENEFIT!...and second of all, you really should not make statements like that about someone when you don't at all know them or their situation. You have no idea what myself or my family have been through, and I'm not sure if you know what it's like to be a parent. It's a very wonderful but very taxing job. I have been through major depression and all kinds of issues that my children and husband have had to watch me go through and have only recently come to terms with it. Since I've discovered skydiving, I am a much more confident and happier person. You will never know what it is like to watch my boys run out to me and hug me after I land. They get almost as much out of it as I do. Since I am giving to myself now, I have much more to give to them so please don't tell me they don't get any benefits from it and if you got out of my post that I was downplaying the dangers then you read something of your own into it. I did a lot of research before I decided to take up this sport. I also did a lot of research on immunizations and there are some major risks in that as well. Again, my point is that sometimes the benefits are worth the risks. Nothing at all bogus about that. It is really insulting that you think I'm deluding myself. You don't have any idea what my skydiving is or isn't doing for my family! I am modeling living life for my children and teaching them that if you love something enough you should go do it! My husband says I'm a different person in so many ways since I've started skydiving. "The only benefit it provides is that it makes you feel happy.." Again, how do you know this is the only benefit? You do not know anything about me and to my knowledge you've never asked my family how this benefits them. Also, I never compared skydiving to immunizations, it was the benefit/risk thing I was using as the comparison. Did you completely miss the point? I really hope you think next time before you make assumptions and judgments about people you know nothing about. ------------------------------------------------------------Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jessicat 0 #14 August 15, 2005 Sorry lady, but I agree with Tigra. When I started skydiving I also had a young child. We went through some unimaginable situations. I too had some serious issues and skydiving did help. HOWEVER, it is by all means selfish. There are other sports and activities that can include your family members. You say your son runs up and hugs you. Whats he supposed to do?! My son was scared to death every time I went to the dropzone. Was I a better Mom because I had a release that really helped me? I really thought so too. Guess what? it IS selfish and YOU are selfish as I was.I was having too good a time and thought my son would think I was a cool Mom. The kids will tell you that if they have too. Do they have a choice anyway? If you have issues with yourself and think this is a "cure" then you really are selfish and should not be skydiving. While they are forced to watch Mom boost her ego, I'm sure they would be better off playing in a sport with MOM watching and boosting THEIR egos. Have you ever considered that they might be scared of you? Food for thought. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #15 August 15, 2005 Quoteand second of all, you really should not make statements like that about someone when you don't at all know them or their situation. Welcome to internet forums. If you're going to post on internet forums, you need to be ready for people who don't know you to make assumptions and judgements about you. That's the nature of this beast. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivermom 0 #16 August 15, 2005 This thread was not posted for this kind of discussion was it? I will send a PM.Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivermom 0 #17 August 15, 2005 I understand that, but nobody else gets to decide if my family gets anything out of my skydiving or not!Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vamp 0 #18 August 15, 2005 I'm so sorry to have heard of this. Condolences to the Ogden skydiving family, healing vibes to the TM, and prayers to the family. And to you. Your description of the family witnessing this horrible event (and you in turn witnessing them) was chilling...no wonder you are a mix of emotions. I'm sure your daughter is getting many extra hugs at this point (as is mine). Skydiving is a wonderful, beautiful sport which is truly life changing. So sad that it also is a sport that can be life ending. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jessicat 0 #19 August 15, 2005 Sounds like you want to make bold statements and not be criticized. YOU decided to become a parent twice! You owe them. Dropzones are not for children. Period. It is an adult playground. Are your kids in sports? or any activity for that matter? Or is all about Mom? Maybe a little more of being an involved parent might be better for them. Most parents get tremendous joy of introducing their children to a variety of family outings. I quess that outing is watching Mom. How does that benefit them? Of course you think they benefit from your being cool! I'm sorry I quess I missed the part that it's ALL ABOUT YOU. Grow up.They didnt ask for this YOU created it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evelyn 0 #20 August 15, 2005 I am so sorry for you and your friends. You need to do what is best for you now. I hope that God will give you the strength to help your friends and keep on jumping. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RhondaLea 4 #21 August 15, 2005 QuoteI understand that, I don't think you do. Quotebut nobody else gets to decide if my family gets anything out of my skydiving or not! I'm a mother, and my daughter was 11 when I started skydiving. I wasn't even off student status when she saw a guy femur in. And then our friends...they started goin' down like flies. Luckily enough, she didn't see a fatality until she was sixteen. He was a friend of hers, and she watched him die. Your profile says you have six jumps. Maybe that's wrong. And even if it isn't, maybe you've seen a bad accident or a fatality. But I'm betting that you haven't, and I'm also betting that you don't really understand all the way to the core of you that you can, and possibly will, die in this sport. I had my daughter's future planned out if I bounced. Or maybe I just thought I did--but at least I'd made the necessary arrangements for her safety and well-being if things went wrong. Have you? rlIf you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
korvus 0 #22 August 15, 2005 I was having trouble putting a face to the name, but seeing that picture cleared that right up. I haven't been up there this summer at all, but last summer I talked to him on a number of occasions. I have no doubts about his ability, so I think I am a believer now that this was a freak accident. He will be in my thoughts... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #23 August 15, 2005 I have been preparing myself for the Day when a skydiver would go in...Nothing prepared me for this... *** Nothing can... And it touches so much deeper and hurts even worse when it's a friend. Be strong my brother. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #24 August 15, 2005 John, I am so sorry you have had to deal with this. I honestly don't know what I would do if I were in your shoes. I do think you need to jump for you not for anyone else. My condolences go out to family and friends. I've missed talking to you. Where have you been? Hugs for Peanut and you. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Salsa_John 0 #25 August 15, 2005 Catfish, Back to your reason for posting. I feel your pain. I have lost 2 friends to skydiving in less than a year. I am so sorry you had to experience this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the others who were affected by this. Salsa "You did what?!?!" MUFF #3722, TDSM #72, Orfun #26, Nachos Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
