sid 1 #1 June 6, 2005 On Saturday we took a lady on a tandem skydive, that reminded me why I love this job so much! (With her physician's approval) we took Paula on a skydive that was so much fun it will never fade from my memory. Paula has MS, she has a trach, a catheter, an ostomy and a heart stint. She has practically no movement in her legs, is pretty much confined to her chair most of the time and had the worst case of baseball hat hair I'd ever seen (had to put that in there Paula). She also has the most infectious smile, a kick-ass sense of humor and the ability to take (and give back) the shit that we routinely and good naturedly give out. Brett Bowers was the TM, Dale Harris was the videographer, Chris Cowden assisted in getting Paula's legs out of the plane and I tagged along because she was so much fucking fun to be in the plane with! The skydive went incredibly well, Paula had a blast, and the landing (although not elegant) was functional. After they landed I ran over to cut the duct tape holding her legs together (for which she thanked me profusely) and then her ONLY concern was whether she had hurt Brett's "Orchestras" on landing (a bit of cockney rhyming slang there). Do you have any idea how easy it would be for most of us to blame God and the World for that kind of medical condition and sit depressed, eating Fig Newtons all day? This woman is a living example to us all to live every fucking day like it's our last and for heaven's sake people ENJOY YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!! Next time you have any kind of a "drama day" think of this gutsy woman and just shut up!!!!! Way to go Paula, nice job Brett, Dale and Chris....... it's an honor working with y'allPete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanduh 0 #2 June 6, 2005 That is totally awesome, man! Congrats to Paula!!! Thanks for sharing this with us Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ccowden 0 #3 June 6, 2005 And it is a pleasure working with you. Paula is such an inspiration. She is a woman who truly has every right to be miserable and she is instead one of the happiest, most positive people I have met. Pretty amazing. It is such a great thing to be able to share our sport with people like her. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jumpergirl 0 #4 June 6, 2005 That's great!!! Way to go Paula!! My mom has MS and I love seeing stories like this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sid 1 #5 June 6, 2005 QuoteAnd it is a pleasure working with you. Oh Shit - I put your name on there too didn't I! Just a typo......... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ChileRelleno 0 #6 June 6, 2005 Bitch'in! ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites craichead 0 #7 June 6, 2005 I love stories like this, too, so I'm going to put in a shameless plug for Chicagoland Skydiving Center's Skydiving for MS Boogie - June 25th, 2005. Come join us if you can! More information at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Illinois Chapter web page: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ild/event/event_detail.asp?e=456 _Pm__ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #8 June 6, 2005 That's cool. Glad to see you all could accomodate a challenging passenger; that is such a dream of mine to be able to do. And if, by some stroke of fate, I ever became that passenger, then thank God for people that would go the extra mile.~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 gordy 0 #9 June 6, 2005 That is totally awesome, something she will always remember! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Peej 0 #10 June 6, 2005 That's just the coolest thing i've read all day! Congratulations Paulaand big ups to you guys for making it happen Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Salsa_John 0 #11 June 6, 2005 Blue skies ot you Paula! Thanks for the story "You did what?!?!" MUFF #3722, TDSM #72, Orfun #26, Nachos Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites shunkka 0 #12 June 6, 2005 that`s great! ------------------------- "jump, have fun, pull" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TheAnvil 0 #13 June 6, 2005 That's an awesome story, Sid! Congrats, Paula! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites velvetjo 0 #14 June 6, 2005 Too cool! You guys rock. Congrats to Paula - is she an honorary Badfish now? Lance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sid 1 #15 June 7, 2005 QuoteToo cool! You guys rock. Congrats to Paula - is she an honorary Badfish now? Lance Ya know - that's a good idea, think I may russle her up a T-Shirt!Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sid 1 #16 June 7, 2005 I just got back to the dz and there was a really nice (but REALLY long) message on the machine from Paula. We feel the same way about you girlie. She also emailed me the attached pics from Dale's roll. They are a little (okay a lot) better quality than the vidcaps (sorry about the bunny ears Brett )Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Evelyn 0 #17 June 7, 2005 That is so cool! I love reading posts that are so positive. Makes me feel really good after a shitty day at work. Paula sounds like an awesome person, more power to her, overcoming her handicap and doing something she's always wanted to do. I have a feeling she's gonna be coming back for more Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kai2k1 0 #18 June 7, 2005 Awesome job you guys. Its stories like that that inspire me. Thanks for posting this and PAULA, you freaking ROCK!!! There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites heftee 0 #19 June 7, 2005 Hey Sid - very cool, indeed. Just a thought - I know SD Dallas takes a lot of wheelchair bound people (for various reasons) on tandems. They have a cool little thing they use for binding the legs to make getting out of the plane, the skydive, and the landing very easy. Seems better than duct tape. Might be worth looking at. I'm not sure the specifics of it and don't want to say something wrong, but it was very cool and made the landing so smooth and easy. GREAT JOB Paula! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sid 1 #20 June 7, 2005 I'll email them and ask - thanks for the tipPete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites packertom 0 #21 June 7, 2005 at Skydive Dallas, we've got an apparatus that Lee Hardesty (my partner in our loft) fabricated that holds paraplegics legs in place and has the ability to raise them into a sitting type position prior to landing, if anyone's interested, we can fabricate these harnesses for anyone who needs one, I'll talk to my partner and see what we could sell them for if there is really any interest in them-- this really was a necessity is the mother of invention type device, we'd never intended to actually market it --- our email is info@applieddeceleration.com if anyone has any questionstom@velocitysportswear.com www.velocitysportswear.com What's YOUR Zombie Plan? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bobsled92 0 #22 June 7, 2005 That's beautiful. Life is precious & needs to be LIVED_______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
ccowden 0 #3 June 6, 2005 And it is a pleasure working with you. Paula is such an inspiration. She is a woman who truly has every right to be miserable and she is instead one of the happiest, most positive people I have met. Pretty amazing. It is such a great thing to be able to share our sport with people like her. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpergirl 0 #4 June 6, 2005 That's great!!! Way to go Paula!! My mom has MS and I love seeing stories like this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sid 1 #5 June 6, 2005 QuoteAnd it is a pleasure working with you. Oh Shit - I put your name on there too didn't I! Just a typo......... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ChileRelleno 0 #6 June 6, 2005 Bitch'in! ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites craichead 0 #7 June 6, 2005 I love stories like this, too, so I'm going to put in a shameless plug for Chicagoland Skydiving Center's Skydiving for MS Boogie - June 25th, 2005. Come join us if you can! More information at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Illinois Chapter web page: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ild/event/event_detail.asp?e=456 _Pm__ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #8 June 6, 2005 That's cool. Glad to see you all could accomodate a challenging passenger; that is such a dream of mine to be able to do. And if, by some stroke of fate, I ever became that passenger, then thank God for people that would go the extra mile.~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 gordy 0 #9 June 6, 2005 That is totally awesome, something she will always remember! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Peej 0 #10 June 6, 2005 That's just the coolest thing i've read all day! Congratulations Paulaand big ups to you guys for making it happen Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Salsa_John 0 #11 June 6, 2005 Blue skies ot you Paula! Thanks for the story "You did what?!?!" MUFF #3722, TDSM #72, Orfun #26, Nachos Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites shunkka 0 #12 June 6, 2005 that`s great! ------------------------- "jump, have fun, pull" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TheAnvil 0 #13 June 6, 2005 That's an awesome story, Sid! Congrats, Paula! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites velvetjo 0 #14 June 6, 2005 Too cool! You guys rock. Congrats to Paula - is she an honorary Badfish now? Lance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sid 1 #15 June 7, 2005 QuoteToo cool! You guys rock. Congrats to Paula - is she an honorary Badfish now? Lance Ya know - that's a good idea, think I may russle her up a T-Shirt!Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sid 1 #16 June 7, 2005 I just got back to the dz and there was a really nice (but REALLY long) message on the machine from Paula. We feel the same way about you girlie. She also emailed me the attached pics from Dale's roll. They are a little (okay a lot) better quality than the vidcaps (sorry about the bunny ears Brett )Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Evelyn 0 #17 June 7, 2005 That is so cool! I love reading posts that are so positive. Makes me feel really good after a shitty day at work. Paula sounds like an awesome person, more power to her, overcoming her handicap and doing something she's always wanted to do. I have a feeling she's gonna be coming back for more Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kai2k1 0 #18 June 7, 2005 Awesome job you guys. Its stories like that that inspire me. Thanks for posting this and PAULA, you freaking ROCK!!! There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites heftee 0 #19 June 7, 2005 Hey Sid - very cool, indeed. Just a thought - I know SD Dallas takes a lot of wheelchair bound people (for various reasons) on tandems. They have a cool little thing they use for binding the legs to make getting out of the plane, the skydive, and the landing very easy. Seems better than duct tape. Might be worth looking at. I'm not sure the specifics of it and don't want to say something wrong, but it was very cool and made the landing so smooth and easy. GREAT JOB Paula! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sid 1 #20 June 7, 2005 I'll email them and ask - thanks for the tipPete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites packertom 0 #21 June 7, 2005 at Skydive Dallas, we've got an apparatus that Lee Hardesty (my partner in our loft) fabricated that holds paraplegics legs in place and has the ability to raise them into a sitting type position prior to landing, if anyone's interested, we can fabricate these harnesses for anyone who needs one, I'll talk to my partner and see what we could sell them for if there is really any interest in them-- this really was a necessity is the mother of invention type device, we'd never intended to actually market it --- our email is info@applieddeceleration.com if anyone has any questionstom@velocitysportswear.com www.velocitysportswear.com What's YOUR Zombie Plan? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bobsled92 0 #22 June 7, 2005 That's beautiful. Life is precious & needs to be LIVED_______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
sid 1 #5 June 6, 2005 QuoteAnd it is a pleasure working with you. Oh Shit - I put your name on there too didn't I! Just a typo......... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 0 #6 June 6, 2005 Bitch'in! ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craichead 0 #7 June 6, 2005 I love stories like this, too, so I'm going to put in a shameless plug for Chicagoland Skydiving Center's Skydiving for MS Boogie - June 25th, 2005. Come join us if you can! More information at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Illinois Chapter web page: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ild/event/event_detail.asp?e=456 _Pm__ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #8 June 6, 2005 That's cool. Glad to see you all could accomodate a challenging passenger; that is such a dream of mine to be able to do. And if, by some stroke of fate, I ever became that passenger, then thank God for people that would go the extra mile.~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
gordy 0 #9 June 6, 2005 That is totally awesome, something she will always remember! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peej 0 #10 June 6, 2005 That's just the coolest thing i've read all day! Congratulations Paulaand big ups to you guys for making it happen Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Salsa_John 0 #11 June 6, 2005 Blue skies ot you Paula! Thanks for the story "You did what?!?!" MUFF #3722, TDSM #72, Orfun #26, Nachos Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shunkka 0 #12 June 6, 2005 that`s great! ------------------------- "jump, have fun, pull" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #13 June 6, 2005 That's an awesome story, Sid! Congrats, Paula! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
velvetjo 0 #14 June 6, 2005 Too cool! You guys rock. Congrats to Paula - is she an honorary Badfish now? Lance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sid 1 #15 June 7, 2005 QuoteToo cool! You guys rock. Congrats to Paula - is she an honorary Badfish now? Lance Ya know - that's a good idea, think I may russle her up a T-Shirt!Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sid 1 #16 June 7, 2005 I just got back to the dz and there was a really nice (but REALLY long) message on the machine from Paula. We feel the same way about you girlie. She also emailed me the attached pics from Dale's roll. They are a little (okay a lot) better quality than the vidcaps (sorry about the bunny ears Brett )Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evelyn 0 #17 June 7, 2005 That is so cool! I love reading posts that are so positive. Makes me feel really good after a shitty day at work. Paula sounds like an awesome person, more power to her, overcoming her handicap and doing something she's always wanted to do. I have a feeling she's gonna be coming back for more Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kai2k1 0 #18 June 7, 2005 Awesome job you guys. Its stories like that that inspire me. Thanks for posting this and PAULA, you freaking ROCK!!! There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heftee 0 #19 June 7, 2005 Hey Sid - very cool, indeed. Just a thought - I know SD Dallas takes a lot of wheelchair bound people (for various reasons) on tandems. They have a cool little thing they use for binding the legs to make getting out of the plane, the skydive, and the landing very easy. Seems better than duct tape. Might be worth looking at. I'm not sure the specifics of it and don't want to say something wrong, but it was very cool and made the landing so smooth and easy. GREAT JOB Paula! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sid 1 #20 June 7, 2005 I'll email them and ask - thanks for the tipPete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packertom 0 #21 June 7, 2005 at Skydive Dallas, we've got an apparatus that Lee Hardesty (my partner in our loft) fabricated that holds paraplegics legs in place and has the ability to raise them into a sitting type position prior to landing, if anyone's interested, we can fabricate these harnesses for anyone who needs one, I'll talk to my partner and see what we could sell them for if there is really any interest in them-- this really was a necessity is the mother of invention type device, we'd never intended to actually market it --- our email is info@applieddeceleration.com if anyone has any questionstom@velocitysportswear.com www.velocitysportswear.com What's YOUR Zombie Plan? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsled92 0 #22 June 7, 2005 That's beautiful. Life is precious & needs to be LIVED_______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
