Dropping in for Canine Partners!
Determination, the support of friends and his canine partner all helped James Rose raise more than £4,000 for charity – by leaping from the sky!
James Rose, from Winchester, has cerebral palsy, which affects his dexterity, speech and mobility. He nevertheless enjoys an independent life thanks in part to his electric wheelchair and his assistance dog Nemo, trained by national charity Canine Partners.
Inspired by his best friend Michelle Lewis, who trekked across Jordan three years ago, James determined to face down his fear of heights by completing a parachute jump. However, doctors’ concerns led to two years’ battle with medical bureaucracy to achieve his dream – and to raise in excess of £4,000 for Canine Partners and Comic Relief.
There were some last minute hitches, however. “Forecasts were bad for Saturday’s weather, casting doubts on whether the jump would go ahead,” James told us. “Postponement of the jump was discussed, as a large number of people from all corners of the country were due to come and watch. However, we decided that we should risk it.
“On arrival, the instructors were very doubtful about the jump happening,” he added. “To an extent, that served as a comfort – thinking I wasn’t going to jump out, after all, of a plane at 13,000 feet! On the other hand, I was painfully aware that more and more people were arriving with the hope of watching me and Michelle skydive. Suddenly, one of the instructors shouted: ‘We’re on!’
“The plane ride up was the worst stage; I had to sit on the floor of a rickety plane in-between my instructor’s legs. Before I knew it, I was sitting on the edge of the plane with my feet dangling above the fluffy bed of white cloud below. I went into a state of acceptance of what was to come – I was nervous but I did not react to that feeling, knowing it would be pointless and may have put our safety in jeopardy.
“When we left the plane and started plunging down through the clouds, I had to maintain my cool and breathe despite the blast of cold air continually blowing in my face. I saw a rush of cloud whizzing across my face as I cut through the white bed of clouds. After 10 seconds’ free fall at nine metres a second, the clouds opened up and I saw the ground below. We suddenly got jolted upwards; it took me a few seconds to realise that it was the parachute opening up, after which everything went silent and I found myself surveying the ground below.
“It felt as if we were suspended in the air, even though I knew we were still going down. Everything on the ground appeared very small and relatively insignificant in comparison to my view of the ground! I was in awe of where I was and just as speechless – apart from occasionally saying ‘Oh my God – it’s Amazing!’ I was surprisingly confident enough to wave at the spectators on the ground as we came into landing (which went perfectly). My legs were not in any danger as they were strapped to my instructor’s legs, who put his feet under my feet during touch-down.”
James was later reunited with his Nemo, who was probably quite relieved to learn that canine partners are not expected to go absolutely everywhere with their humans!
For further information on Canine Partners please call 08456 580480 or visit www.caninepartners.co.uk.
