[Leica] IMG: A Special Jump

[Jim Nichols]

Yes, I recall your story, Ted.  Glad it worked for you.  I don't think I 
could have gotten away with it. :-)

Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA

On 9/1/2016 7:33 PM, Ted Grant wrote:
> Hi Jim,
> Good on that lad. Even in his condition he had a go at the jump. More people
> should do this, not a para-jump. But something they always wanted to try or
> do. Rather than in their later lives complaining.. "I always wanted to do?"
> Whatever it was in their youth or younger life.
> Me? Well each time I did aerial photography and no door on the plane, me
> facing into the wild blue yonder. :-) When the assignment shoot was over and
> we're back on the ground, I always thought? "Jeeesshh one of these days I'd
> like to do a parachute jump. No not riding down with someone. " Me & the
> chute"
> In 1994 just before the Commonwealth Games in Victoria. I was at a luncheon
> with some of our media organizing people and me a few days past my 65
> birthday! When the question was asked.. "We're doing a parachute jump on
> Saturday morning. "Hey Ted are you in?"
> Well now me wearing hearing aids after big cannons firing during the 6 Day
> War in the mid east! Really didn't hear the exact question but thought it to
> play some field game. So I responded "SURE OK!"  My assistant said==== "You
> didn't really hear that question did you?" My response was... "Oh play some
> field sport Saturday?"
> She responded:  "No you said you'd jump with a parachute on, at the
> airfield!"MY RATHER LOUD RESPONSE TO THE LADY SETTING THIS "fun event up?"
> "EXCUSE ME? WHAT ARE WE DOING SATURDAY?" She responded. "So far, including
> you there are 8 of us doing a parachute jump!" My initial response was?===
> "COOL!" The next was? "OK WHAT IS IRENE GOING TO SAY?" OOPS! My wife. :-) So
> I didn't tell her, but I did say.. "We are doing some special training at
> the airfield on Saturday. Do you want to come along and watch?" She said,
> "No I told you I'm not interested in all that sport stuff!" I said no more.
> :-)
> However? I did get #1 son convinced to get his mother organized and bring
> her to the airfield.
> READY? :-) So he went to get her, she with no idea what was happening?
> "He said to her, "Dad wants me to take you to the airfield to see him doing
> his thing."
> She responded! "I told him I wasn't interested. When is all this nonsense
> going to end with him????"
> Ted offered: "Oh maybe today as he's jumping out of a plane with a
> parachute!"
> She did come to the airfield, but we had already taken off, so she didn't
> get to speak to me until I walked up to her carrying my chute after the
> jump!!! She was as white as a ghost as she offered: "How are you?" Eyes like
> two piercing spears burning holes in me!
> Me? Man I'm sort've giggling, smiling, endorphins in my body are going
> around and around like crazy. I'm just flying inside my body like crazy.
> As cold voiced as I think I ever heard her in our 64 years married she said:
> " That's wonderful! But let me assure you that if you do this again? Even if
> you land safely? "BE "ASSURED I WILL KILL YOU!" Turned around and walked
> away.
> I've never jumped again. But as much as I scared the daylights out of her it
> was never discussed again.
> But I have been so fantastically thrilled and glad I enjoyed the few moments
> with the chute open above me.
> No I'll never do it again. As the first time gives one the "absolute thrill
> of a lifetime!"
> cheers,
> Dr. ted  :-)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: LUG [mailto:lug-bounces+tedgrant=shaw.ca at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
> Jim Nichols
> Sent: September-01-16 4:01 PM
> To: LUG at Leica-Users.org; Olympus Camera Discussion
> Subject: [Leica] IMG: A Special Jump
>
> We had a special jump at the skydiving facility at our airport
> yesterday.  I just happened to be there.
>
> A young man in his 40s who has had cerebral palsy since birth, and must
> use a wheel chair, resides at one of the local nursing home facilities.
> He has always tried to push himself to enjoy life as much as he could.
> He decided that he wanted to experience skydiving, and his family and
> friends made it happen.  There was a crowd, and I tried not to intrude.
> Here are a few scenes.
>
> Loading up in the Twin Otter Jump Plane:
>
> http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Loading+Up_001.jpg.html
>
> Nashville Channel 5 covered the event:
>
> http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/TV+Chopper+Takeoff.jpg.html
>
> Takeoff:
>
> http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Takeoff.jpg.html
>
> His wheel chair is brought to the landing zone:
>
> http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Wheel+Chair+to+Landing+Zone.jpg
> .html
>
> Descending with his instructor:
>
> http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Descending+2.jpg.html
>
> Touchdown:
>
> http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Touchdown.jpg.html
>
> Cameras fire away:
>
> http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Cameras+Fire+Away.jpg.html
>