2 days ago
Dual skydiving with a disability an 'amazing' experience
An initiative which offers people with physical disabilities the chance to sky dive from 10,000 feet in a tandem jump is taking place for the first time in Ireland.
"Handitandem" originated with a French Rotary club and once Portlaoise members heard about the physical and mental benefits to participants they decided to run an Irish version of it.
The jump is happening at Clonbullogue in Offaly, HQ of the Irish Parachute Club today.
Three participants are taking part today and it's hoped to build on the initiative into the future.
"I first learned about 'Handitandem' on a visit to France and through my contact with Club Rotary de Matha in Charente-Maritime, who are the originators of the idea" said President of Portlaoise Rotary, Maeve Furey.
"We then established a 'contact club' relationship with them and invited them to Portlaoise"
"The aim of the project is simple – to offer people - who due to their physical disabilities would not normally have the opportunity to do so - the chance to skydive in a tandem jump.
" I gather from those who have done it that a parachute jump is an exhilarating never to be forgotten experience" she added.
"Our friends in Rotary de Matha have stories of disabled people who got weeks of pain relief after jumping due to the positive adrenaline effects on them. So, we see great potential benefits for people both mentally and physically in this initiative."
Kae Delaney, originally from the US but living in Portarlington has cerebral palsy and took part in today's jump.
"It was amazing. I never thought I would get the chance to do something like this"
