New initiative sees people with disabilities skydive from Offaly airfield
An initiative which offers people with physical disabilities the chance to skydive from 10,000 feet in a tandem jump has taken place for the first time in Ireland.
The initiative, which is called 'Handitandem', and was organised by Portlaoise and Naas Rotary Clubs, took place at the headquarters of the Irish Parachute Club at Clonbullogue airfield in Offaly last Friday.
Portlaoise Rotary President Maeve Furey first learned about 'Handitandem' on a visit to France through her contact with Club Rotary de Matha in Charente-Maritime, who are the originators of the idea.
She told RTE's Midlands Correspondent Sinead Hussey that they 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," Ms Furey said.
"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."
The three people with disabilities who took part in the inaugural Irish ‘Handitandem’ were Kae Delaney, who has cerebral palsy, and Ellen Coughlan and Jordan Percy, who are both vision impaired.
Kae Delaney, who is originally from the US but living in Portarlington, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
"It was amazing. I never thought I would get the chance to do something like this with my disabilities, so to do something that was always on my bucket list is just incredible," she said afterwards. Asked if she would do a jump again, she smiled and said, "absolutely".
For Ellen Coughlan, skydiving was also one more thing off her bucket list. In a post on social media, she praised Rotary and the Irish Parachute Club.
"Portlaoise Rotary Club are doing amazing work, creating opportunities for people with different levels of disabilities to be able to do things they may not normally get the chance to do, or think they are even able to do.
"Growing up with a visual impairment, there was always a multitude of things I didn’t think I’d ever get the privilege to do, but it’s so lovely to know there’s a group creating these options for people with disabilities. A big thanks to The Irish Parachute Club for making this possible."
Jordan Percy, who like Ellen is from Portlaoise, had a great sense of achievement after the jump. "To go skydiving has been like a dream of mine for a long time, but every time I went to do it I was told you're visually impaired, I'm not so sure about that with insurance, this that and the other, but to actually do it, I just feel like I’ve achieved something."
Maeve Furey said this is just the start and it's hoped the ‘Handitandem’ will become an annual event.
"Last Friday's jump was such a positive experience for everyone involved. The Irish Wheelchair Association had three busloads of people there. I'm sure some of those may well be interested in jumping next time. RTE were there with their TV cameras. It was just brilliant.
"Of course, initiatives like this require funding and that's why we are always looking for sponsors and support from the business community.
"If you would like more information about ‘Handitandem’ or are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email portlaoiserotary@gmail.com. With the launch of Handitandem we’ve shown that for people with disabilities, the sky is the limit," Ms Furey concluded.