Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2016/09/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]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 >