Parasailing

By Jabo
@jaboUK (64354)
United Kingdom
March 10, 2021 1:31pm CST
I had a young friend who was very adventurous despite having been paralysed in an accident. We were in Tenerife and she saw people parasailing and wanted to try it herself. It involves sitting in a boat attached to a specially designed parachute, then when the boat picks up speed you are launched into the air. As we weren't sure that she would be able to do it, I volunteered to go up first to see if I thought she could manage it. I was 60 at the time but had to do it just as if I was her, so I wasn't able to use my arms to hold on to the parachute attachments. As a result I found myself angled forward with the harness biting into my shoulders. Not fun. Then when I landed back in the boat I was unable to brace myself with my legs (as my friend had no use in hers) so I just sort of crumpled up, grazing my knees. I had to give my friend the bad news that no, it wasn't for her. Undaunted, she decided to try sky-diving instead. She did that strapped to a professional skydiver who was used to dealing with disabled people, and she raised a lot of money for charity in the process.
37 people like this
39 responses
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
10 Mar 21
I was just think about your friend the other day, she was someone who didn’t spend her life thinking about what she lost but rather enjoying what she had.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
10 Mar 21
@jaboUK I do remember all your previous posts however and I know what a great loss sh was in your ife.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
@BelleStarr Thank you
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
10 Mar 21
That is so true Isabelle. I saw a programme on the TV about parasailing and that's what brought this to mind. I haven't written about her since I've been on myLot.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121581)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Mar 21
That was nice of you to test out the parasailing before she did, or else she could have realized a similar (or worse) experience than you did. I'm glad she did get to go skydiving, and in the process raise money for charity. I love how she has not let her disabilities stop her from her sense of adventure.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121581)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK Sorry to hear about her passing. I'm sure she was a very wonderful person.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
@moffittjc She was indeed. She was paralysed in a horse-riding accident at 31 and lived until she was 54.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136369)
• India
10 Mar 21
It must have been tough for you - you are a true friend
2 people like this
@allknowing (136369)
• India
10 Mar 21
@jaboUK Doing it as a disabled person may not have been easy.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
10 Mar 21
No, it wasn't tough - I was pleased to test it out for her. Parasailing is something I would have enjoyed doing in normal circumstances.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
@allknowing You're right there.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41424)
• United States
11 Mar 21
Wow, I am really impressed that you not only went parasailing (and at 60!), but that you did it like your friend would have. You go, Girl!
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
Thanks Vicki, but life had dealt her such a tough deal that I wanted to do everything I could for her. Can you imagine what being paralysed is like - she even needed someone to scratch her nose for her if she had an itch
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
@1creekgirl She did.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41424)
• United States
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK That's sad, but it sounds like she worked hard to overcome it.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218781)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Mar 21
Did she enjoy it? I tend NOT to like to do things where I am dependent on others. I enjoy hiking, cliff scrambling, etc., but I've never had a desire to go tandem sky-diving, etc.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
She loved it. Most of us are lucky in that we aren't dependent on others and that's how it was for my friend till she broke her neck in a riding accident. She had no choice after that and needed 24 hour care.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
@TheHorse She was riding a horse in a race when it fell.
@TheHorse (218781)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK Was she cycling? Or riding my cousins?
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 Mar 21
Sounds like the skydiving was more for her. I have seen many do this but have not tried. I am sure your knees were sore after the parachute incident.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
10 Mar 21
Yes the skydiving was a lot more suitable. I only got minor grazing, didn't really hurt much.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 Mar 21
@jaboUK Good memories.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
10 Mar 21
@CarolDM Yes indeed.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55601)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Mar 21
Your friend was quite adventurous - but so were you ! Well, I'm glad she found a more suitable sky flying adventure - did she do many charities doing things like this?
1 person likes this
@much2say (55601)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Mar 21
@jaboUK My goodness! She did not let her disabilities stop her . . . what a brave and amazing woman!
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
14 Mar 21
Yes she did, she got quite a lot of press coverage so she raised money for charity by sponsorship. She did carriage driving (controlling the horse with the reins held in her teeth}, and scuba diving.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89882)
• Arvada, Colorado
11 Mar 21
Look at that what an amazing feat.
1 person likes this
• Arvada, Colorado
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK Much credit due her bless.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
She was an amazing woman, wanted to try everything that her condition would allow,
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471497)
• Switzerland
11 Mar 21
I admire your bravery, your experience surely helped her to decide to try but with the help of a professional. I understand your test was not done in the "best conditions"... but did you like parasailing?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471497)
• Switzerland
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK This is what I thought, I never tried, but it must be wonderful.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
Parasailing is definitely something I would enjoy if I was doing it as a normal person. The feeling of being towed along in the sky is wonderful
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
12 Mar 21
I remember your previous posts about your friend. She didn’t let her disability get in the way of living her life as it was meant to be lived. Kudos to her.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar 21
She certainly made the most of life despite her limitations.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
12 Mar 21
@jaboUK She did.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
11 Mar 21
That was very nice of you to try parasailing for her. You were so brave to do so.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
It wasn't really brave because I had no fear of doing it
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK That's great that you had no fear of doing it. I am afraid of heights.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK It sounds like it turned out that your friend could do something she wanted to do. I am sorry that when you did the parasailing that it was hard for you because you did it as though you were your friend that was disabled.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
i was pleased when she found something exciting that she could do.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK I can understand that.
1 person likes this
@RitzzView (3038)
• India
11 Mar 21
Her spirit just doesn't end. I love that girl....
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
She certainly had plenty of spirit despite the limitations of her body.
@RitzzView (3038)
• India
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK Yes.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
11 Mar 21
You're a good friend. You're friend did such a good deed too. Friendship is wonderful! Your post just made my week.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
What a lovely thing to say, thank you Krisstina.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK (It's the truth!) The world needs people like the 3 of you. Well done.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112870)
• El Paso, Texas
11 Mar 21
Those are 2 things I would never want to try. I've never been overly adventurous although I do like to drive fast when I can.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112870)
• El Paso, Texas
11 Mar 21
You're so lucky @jaboUK my father was even worse than I am.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
You don't like heights? That's never bothered me.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
10 Mar 21
At least you saved Sarah from getting hurt and bruised para sailing.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
10 Mar 21
That's true - you remember her I haven't written about her since being on myLot.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
10 Mar 21
@jaboUK you've mentioned her at least once before but never by name.
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
10 Mar 21
oh my, she is so brave to take those. i mean, I cannot even take those, i am younger than her and still... she is wow!
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
10 Mar 21
She was a brave person - she tried to find life positive despite her dire circumstances. (She was in her early 30s when she did this - it was me who was 60).
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
10 Mar 21
@jaboUK I don't have the 'heart" for this, haha. and I applause her for doing it not just for an adrenaline rush(some calls it), but for charity too
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16636)
• United States
11 Mar 21
Your friend has the right attitude in life, enjoying it, doing what makes her happy, not being limited by her disability. You are a good friend for trying it out for her to see if she could handle it.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16636)
• United States
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK I am so very sorry
1 person likes this
@nela13 (58667)
• Portugal
11 Mar 21
It was nice of you testing it for her.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
Thanks but it was always a pleasure to help her in any way I could.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (58667)
• Portugal
16 Mar 21
1 person likes this
@Rashnag (30592)
• Surat, India
11 Mar 21
Great to know. It's so inspiring. Your friend and you both did a good job. Thanks for sharing. Take care
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 21
Thank you - my friend wanted to try anything she could.
1 person likes this
@Rashnag (30592)
• Surat, India
11 Mar 21
@jaboUK your welcome dear
1 person likes this