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You will always be a skydiver. No one can take that from you. Please check in on occasion. You'll always be a part of this community.

Sorry for the late reply! Thanks for all the incredibly kind and warm messages. Absolutely. If anything, the whole experience, although short, has been deeply influential and has only made me cherish my life more. I got a second chance and actually recovered reasonably well (not 100%, but that's the price of surviving, which I accept). I know a lot of people didn't get the same chance. I'm truly incredibly lucky and I'm thankful for that daily. Although I may not physically be in the sky anymore, I'm determined to make the most out of this life. I will always remember. You guys nudged and pushed me to the right direction and gave me a lot of life advice. Some hard opinions too, but I probably needed to hear them at that time. I couldn't understand everything that was said back then, but now I've gained more perspective and understood more. I have made the best decisions for myself. Time is really powerful. It allowed me to heal and process things at my own pace. Skydiving has shaped me and is always a part of me now. I'm at peace with not jumping again and am ready to move forward. I have. She is happy. I understand her more now. She really loves and cares about me, and she desperately wanted to protect me back then.

I'm sort of assuming you're graduating this spring... Good time for reflection. You've made a life for yourself. It doesn't have room for skydiving -- that's not a problem. And your malfunction really wasn't a beginner malfunction. The correct answer is the one that has to surviving, and that you did. I wish you well, really. Maybe your involvement in skydiving helped you to decide to really buckle down in school -- if so, that's not an entirely negative consequence. But yeah, things can have life-changing consequences. And don't generate a long bucket list -- as you can, do the things that interest you, don't save them up, because they'll keep your life interesting, and the best way to meet interesting people is to have your own interesting life. Enough lecture from the senior auntie Wendy P.

Hi Keith, Quite a few years ago, I had occasion to call Skratch Harris on a legal issue in California. He is an attorney in San Diego & a 'former' skydiver. I introduced myself & said that I was a former skydiver. He immediately replied that no one is a 'former' skydiver, you will always be a skydiver. Jerry Baumchen

David - I forgot to add: CONRATULATIONS! on a hard earned well deserved degree. We were all pulling for you. Bests TampaPete

I have NEVER, nor will I EVER tolerate racism. Bending the knee and accepting it is what got us here. Fuck racism and fuck those who insist on it.

It's been 5 years already? Skydiving is something that takes a lot of desire in order to progress. In this world only a tiny fraction of people find it to be worth the time, money, and risk. Have you told your mother of your decision? I'm pretty sure she is or will be quite happy.

Very well said Auntie Wendy. David this is a good decision for you. I’ve made similar decisions and you just keep moving forward. But, you have some cool memories and stories. Hopefully you have a few cool pics too. I would encourage you to also remember the outpouring of concern and help when you asked. Whether your in the air or idle, this is one of the coolest communities around. Look forward to the next cooler chapter. And it is out there. Keep in touch. TampaPete