slotperfect 7 #1 June 26, 2005 I tried three times to express in writing the joy I experienced yesterday taking young John, who is confined to a wheel chair due to cerebral palsy, on a tandem skydive for his 20th birthday. Then Arvel (BlueSBDeath) sent me the pictures. Simply sharing Arvel’s email along with the pictures seems the most fitting way of expressing how he and I both felt about our experience with John. You can see it in my face! My only regret is that I didn’t get Arvel in any of the pictures. This was John’s second tandem, and my first with a wheel chair bound person. (Yes, I bought x 24). It was an honor to skydive with someone with a heart and level of courage as big as his. It is true what they say: when you give and give without expecting anything in return, it comes back to you one hundred fold. Arvel’s email: Quote Subject: Sharing The Love John, I can not express how these pictures make me feel!! I have a smile on my face and tears in my eyes from the joy that is given to this young man during our jump with him. This is truly what it is all about!! I love to make people this happy!! Please share these pictures and the details of the story with our peers!!! Thanks for letting me be part of this incredible event, it is one of my most memorable experiences!! Arvel Arvel, here’s to many more like that one my brother. You are the ultimate people person! John, you are truly a gift to this world – thank you for sharing yourself with us! Many thanks to TonyT, British Bob, and Packajoe for their support and to Chris at Eloy for the strap design. John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sid 1 #2 June 27, 2005 Good Job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!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
koz2000 1 #3 June 27, 2005 Awesome story and pics. Thoes are the ones that make you feel good.______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skylord 1 #4 June 27, 2005 Wow, great story!! The pics of your young passenger were incredible. The expression on his face was sheer, life. That's the only way I can put it. This will be the memory of a lifetime for both of you........ BobBob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
namgrunt 0 #5 June 27, 2005 HOOAH god smiles on you john you did real good ..59 YEARS,OVERWEIGHT,BALDIND,X-GRUNT LAST MIL. JUMP VIET-NAM(QUAN-TRI) www.dzmemories.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #6 June 27, 2005 John, I thought the video was great but the pictures Really add to that day. Good job bro"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueSBDeath 2 #7 June 27, 2005 Thanks John for filling in the details!! I did make it into the pictures!! Again, I am in your goggles Thanks for all you bring to the sport!! ArvelBSBD...........Its all about Respect, USPA#-7062, FB-2197, Outlaw 499 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #8 June 27, 2005 Very cool. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
outlawphx 1 #9 June 27, 2005 Awesome! Those pictures really caught the joy of that jump, and it brought a smile to my face! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisamariewillbe 1 #10 June 27, 2005 What a great story, good job to all that were involved, from John and his family to the DZ, TI and video.Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanda965 0 #11 June 27, 2005 Being able to share in the joy with someone experiencing skydiving for the first time is the number one reason why I would want to be an AFF or Tandem master, most definitely. Sharing the skydive with someone who you know enjoyed it that much is just awesome. Not only were those great pics to see (I am very happy this individual got to experience a skydive) but they also make me take a minute to reflect on how fortunate we are as skydivers to have the ability to jump/spend the extra $/ have the camraderie, etc. There are lots of people in the world who can't even touch being as lucky as we are. Blue skies and SAFE landings! ~Amanda~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #12 June 27, 2005 That there is the number one reason I'd consider getting myself a tandem rating. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeForsythe 0 #13 June 27, 2005 After looking at the pictures I couldn't tell who was happier! Nice work on the sling.Time and pressure will always show you who a person really is! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueSBDeath 2 #14 June 27, 2005 I could not agree more Amanda!! Having jumped for as long as I have I feel blessed beyond explanation and completed to share my joy with all that are willing to at least try!! Arvel BSBD...........Its all about Respect, USPA#-7062, FB-2197, Outlaw 499 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pincheck 0 #15 June 27, 2005 Nice Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kwoo 0 #16 June 27, 2005 John and Arvel, This is the second time in as many weeks that you guys have brought tears to my eyes. First the pictures of John and his mother and now these. What a fantastic thing you get to do. Both for your tandem students and yourselves. karen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #18 June 27, 2005 Good Deal! QuoteJohn O Landing 1edit.jpg Um, aren't you landing cross-wind in that photo? It looks like the windsock is blowing 90-degrees off from the direction of your landing... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #19 June 27, 2005 QuoteUm, aren't you landing cross-wind in that photo? That sock is out by the runway. What you don't see is the pea pit, wind streamer and the surrounding trees. The Raeford dragon can do funny things to the wind sometimes so it is not unusual to see the wind direction change abruptly from the runway to the landing area."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #20 June 27, 2005 Bravo! How often do you get to make someone THAT happy...gives me chills! GREAT JOB guys! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Avion 0 #21 June 27, 2005 He looked so happy, it made me feel good Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites slotperfect 7 #22 June 27, 2005 QuoteUm, aren't you landing cross-wind in that photo? LOLOLOL! I knew someone would ask me that! We had one of those days that the windsock was moving around a lot - in this case more than 90 degrees. What I do in those situations is pay attention to the changes from about 1500 feet to my turn on final, then I "split the difference" and commit myself to the dominant wind line. It worked like a charm - we had a beautiful seated landing. And to lisamariewillbe: I didn't mind the question - hopefully someone learned something from the exchange. Since you reconsidered and chose to remove your post, I removed the reply in which someone quoted the text you removed.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DaGimp 0 #23 June 27, 2005 QuoteBeing able to share in the joy with someone experiencing skydiving for the first time is the number one reason why I would want to be an AFF or Tandem master, most definitely. Sharing the skydive with someone who you know enjoyed it that much is just awesome. Not only were those great pics to see (I am very happy this individual got to experience a skydive) but they also make me take a minute to reflect on how fortunate we are as skydivers to have the ability to jump/spend the extra $/ have the camraderie, etc. There are lots of people in the world who can't even touch being as lucky as we are. this is so true amanda....what made the whole experience that much better with these guys is to see these two gentleman come and pay completely in change.......i was proud to jump with one of these guys and was more then willing to do it for free."Professor of Pimpology"~~~Bolas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Jethers203 0 #24 June 28, 2005 Good Job Buddy!!! It's always good to see people doing what you did. Keep it up. Clint D-24352 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites brothermuff65 0 #25 June 28, 2005 far fucking out ,that is great ,it just lets you know what life is all about WHAT A SMILE just makes you feel good all over. aint we in a great sport . glad you both had so much funtill later have fun & love each other seeya mb65johnny gates Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 1 of 3 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
slotperfect 7 #22 June 27, 2005 QuoteUm, aren't you landing cross-wind in that photo? LOLOLOL! I knew someone would ask me that! We had one of those days that the windsock was moving around a lot - in this case more than 90 degrees. What I do in those situations is pay attention to the changes from about 1500 feet to my turn on final, then I "split the difference" and commit myself to the dominant wind line. It worked like a charm - we had a beautiful seated landing. And to lisamariewillbe: I didn't mind the question - hopefully someone learned something from the exchange. Since you reconsidered and chose to remove your post, I removed the reply in which someone quoted the text you removed.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaGimp 0 #23 June 27, 2005 QuoteBeing able to share in the joy with someone experiencing skydiving for the first time is the number one reason why I would want to be an AFF or Tandem master, most definitely. Sharing the skydive with someone who you know enjoyed it that much is just awesome. Not only were those great pics to see (I am very happy this individual got to experience a skydive) but they also make me take a minute to reflect on how fortunate we are as skydivers to have the ability to jump/spend the extra $/ have the camraderie, etc. There are lots of people in the world who can't even touch being as lucky as we are. this is so true amanda....what made the whole experience that much better with these guys is to see these two gentleman come and pay completely in change.......i was proud to jump with one of these guys and was more then willing to do it for free."Professor of Pimpology"~~~Bolas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jethers203 0 #24 June 28, 2005 Good Job Buddy!!! It's always good to see people doing what you did. Keep it up. Clint D-24352 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brothermuff65 0 #25 June 28, 2005 far fucking out ,that is great ,it just lets you know what life is all about WHAT A SMILE just makes you feel good all over. aint we in a great sport . glad you both had so much funtill later have fun & love each other seeya mb65johnny gates Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
