RossDagley

When I was born my parents were told I'd never walk - I was totally paralyzed from the waist down, and my right arm was also totally paralyzed. After a year of daily physiotherapy, I was able to walk – after 4 years of same physiotherapy I was able to regain approx. 75% mobility/strength in my arm. I’m now basically normal except for that damn arm I was determined to take up skydiving about the age of 20 – and as soon as I was told I couldn’t I became absolutely TOTALLY determined to do it – I’ll be the judge of what I can and cant do, not someone else. This year I’ve had the finances to back my desires regardless of cost – I live in the UK and was told I couldn’t jump (by the BPA) as a student (when I’m supervised) because of my ‘disability’, but I could jump as a licensed skydiver(!) (when I’m unsupervised – go figure…) Thank God for open-minded people. The guys on DZ.com have seen my enthusiasm and dedication first hand (what does double figure tandems tell you…) as well as my depression when I found out I couldn’t learn here in the UK. After a *great* deal of support from the guys and gals here @ DZ.com, I’ve got myself booked in at DeLand (thanks Bob!), got my special rig bought and paid for (with specialist help from the manufacturer - Aubrey) got my jumpsuit (with specialist help from the makers (Christine@merlin)), got my tunnel time booked up... You get the picture Don’t ever let someone else dictate what you can and can’t do – go find out yourself. I’ve gone from a massive high point starting down this path, to massive lows when I thought I’d never be allowed to do it, back to a massive high now it’s only 7 weeks away. I've had to put some work in myself here too, like trying as hard as I can to gain some more strength in that right arm and shoulder before my trip to Orlando - but its the feeling of achievement I KNOW I'll get that keeps me going. I’m so pleased you’ve managed to overcome your difficulties – may you have many many enjoyable jumps and safe landings. Blue skies. Ross

That'd be great --R

Beer?

I'd be more pissed about freezing my butt off at 11k and the 20 minute canopy ride...

You got a linky for the vid perchance? Love to see that. --R

Thanks very much.

Back of right hand --R

$1275 for Cypres 2 direct from Aerodyne (with or without a new rig, although free fitting if inculded in container purchase iirc).

Yeah, I saw that (dont fancy a total reserve closure myself...), however, if it fails (bad rigging and packing excepted) would one be any worse off for having it? I can't see how you could be worse off - but then again, I know naff all, so please enlighten me if there is!

Sorry - poor choice of words on my part. I understand nothing other than me is going to perform the physical cutaway, but I meant immediately after that, when the risers are released I dont want to end up with only the lanyard side becoming detached (ie, I haven't pulled the cutaway properly or something). I guess I need to read up on the Collins lanyard then

Okay, thanks

thanks for that. Perfect explanation. Now a question thats probably gonna cause grief Why would you NOT use one? Ie, that seems to solve a lot of problems - does it introduce any problems too? Ie, I've just ordered my first rig (Icon/Pilot/Smart) - should I (or could I) have specified a skyhook? I appreciate as most things its down to personal preference, but I'm not experienced enough to have that preference yet, so I'm trying to get some ideas from you guys!)

Excuse the n00b question - can someone explain the difference between a skyhook and a RSL for me? I've googled and searched, but cant seem to get a clear picture. I understand the RSL as pulling the reserve pin on cutaway via a cord attached between a riser and the reserve pin (correct me if I'm wrong), but how does a skyhook work? Thanks

Hey, if the staff at these wrong numbers sound as nice as the one I got the other day, I'll be misdialling more often

Well, from bad to good Thanks everyone (genuinely) for all your kind words, especially the people via PM with suggestions etc. Thanks to Tonto giving me the confidence to continue when I was at such a low ebb, I've spent the best part of the last 24 hours phoning about trying to see whats available. Turns out, pretty much everywhere will take me - except the UK. Well, in the immortal words of Cartman "Screw you guys". I've today ordered a complete new rig with left-hand deploy from Aerodyne. Maximum thanks to Aubrey for helping with the custom order, and the custom BOC. Looks like its going to take 8-10 weeks to make, but thats not a problem - turns out it will tie into some plans I better start making! Big thanks to Lara from Alti2, who put me in touch with Bob at Skydive DeLand. After speaking to Bob this morning, he's 100% confident we can get this sorted, even going as far as to say he's pretty sure he's already got a rig I can use (left hand deploy!) for student training. What a result. I'm probably going to have Aerodyne ship the rig direct to DeLand where I'll train on their student gear, then get transitioned on site onto my own gear, getting as many jumps on it as I can over there, then bring it back into the UK myself, saving shipping. The flight/hotel prices are good at the moment, and the exchange rate is so good that the cost actually only works out about £200 more to do it in the US as opposed to here. Plus I get a holiday thrown in I'll be taking my mum as someone to go with as she's never been to Disneyland or SeaWorld etc, so it looks like its all going to work out rather nicely after all. The build time of the rig will also give me enough time to get other stuff like my custom alti ordered (through the Skydive Deland gear store) and I can simply collect it there. Like I said, from a nightmare yesterday (where I'd never felt so gutted at being told I cant do this) to today is amazing. Thank you all for your help. So much. I couldn't have done all this without you - and your support for a newbie like me is great. Thanks again guys and gals. You've got me now - the hard part is gonna be trying to get rid of me

Thanks for that. I've dropped him an email.

Guys/Gals. Its a bit of a cross-post, so please forgive me, but I need the help. Are there any instructors from DeLand that could help with this: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1575691 Taking into account my issues in that thread, if I went abroad (outside of the UK) to do AFF, it would need to be in under 14 days (like a holiday basically). Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

Apparently it *doesnt* rest with the medical advisor He phoned back to say it rested with the safety board, to which I can have no input. So here I am going round in circles. Thanks a bunch BPA. Desperate to get members, and forcing me abroad... Anyway, looks like I'll be taking a holiday soon. DeLand is looking attractive (thanks to DisneyWorld ) as is Empuriabrava (thanks Wendy for the tip) - The very kind offer from Tonto is also an option, but the JoBerg DZ is only open weekends, so I'd be stuck mid-week. its just a matter of who will take me under their wing and offer to help I guess...

Okay. I've spoken to the USPA, and they don't see any issues with me jumping so long as the instructor is happy to modify a BOC rig. They said the alternative is to jump as a student with a ripcord rig, and then transfer onto my own gear when its built. Which poses the question, why cant i do this in the UK? I've contacted the BPA's National Coach & Safety Officer, John Hitchen, and he didn't see an issue with it, but apparently it rests with their medical advisor. I'm awaiting his call back. Its almost funny - THE BPA are saying there’s no legislation stopping me from jumping. The USPA are saying there’s no legislation stopping me from jumping. My instructor (who’s the CCI at my DZ) want to teach me and is happy with the modifications needed, but a single chap who advises the BPA (who's never met me or assessed my mobility) is saying no. Surely there's something wrong with this picture Thanks for the PM's of support so far guys (and gals). I really hope I can sort something out here in the UK as the nightmare of travelling abroad is one I’m not looking forward to…

I totally agree. I understand there is a 'greater' risk. Presuming I do 1000 perfect jumps with no problems, when the 1 jump comes up where I need my right arm (for reserve/cutaway whatever) I'm confident I've got the strength and presence of mind to be able to use it. This is a sport where we all risk our lives do do what we love - my risk is just a little different to the norm. Agreed here too - thats why AFF seemed the logical choice - I could pay a rigger to 'convert' a student rig, and the DZ sould keep it seperate to their other student gear. Because it's AFF, I could (in theory) have the course completed in a short space of time, so 'downtime' is reduced. I understand this involves a reduction of their available gear, and I'd be happy to compensate them accordingly whilst I'm using it. Yes - the leg strap throwout was an option my CCI was trying to look into - I have no problem reaching my hip whatsoever (whilst arched my movement is limited to my right bum cheek - I cant get 'higher' up my back than that, but hip and waistband are fine) Can you tell me a bit more about this? Is this the same as a freefly handle? (excuse my lack of knowledge) or is it like the student rigs with a normal toggle and a 'pouch' on the opposite side? I'll mention it to Aubrey when I next speak to him. Yes - I can get to the reserve handle and cutaway poouch with both hands without issue, with either hand. I'm confident I'd be fine even if I had to use my right arm/hand to pull the reserve (across my chest). A cypres would be on my rig without question. I'm genuinely touched at that statement. Thats an incredibly kind offer, and most gratefully received. I would be indebted to you if you could investigate it in SA for me - as for the offer of training thats what touched me. Thank you for your kind offer and I'm sure we would come to some (beer) arrangement. I am extremely keen (my CCI told me he was pretty cut up about snubbing someone with my enthuasm) and want to get the ball moving - I just hate hitting these damn brick walls of red-tape. Thanks again Tonto. If anyone else has any advice, I'm keeping my ears fully open - I'll do this any way I can and you guys are far more knowledgable than I can hope to be. Any advice is gratefully received. Ross

Well, just had the worst call I've had in a while. The CCI at my DZ has just called to say after spending most of yesterday phoning around that I'm not allowed to do AFF in the UK. The BPA have ruled that even though I'm 'able bodied', because of the problem with my elbow and shoulder where I cant reach the standard BOC (on the right) I cant do AFF. The fact they could modify a rig to leg strap throwout or left hand BOC they're not interested in - saying if I was to damage my left arm on exit, I'd be up shit street. I have about 75% strength in my right arm, just limited mobility (almost none) behind my back - all other functions are fine. Left arm is probably fractionally stronger to compensate. If you met me, you'd never know. Until I showed you. My Instructors advice was to contact the USPA as they are less anal about things, and allow for peoples desire (the BPA would ban skydiving if they could...) My question to you guys is does anyone have any idea where I can start? Who can I contact within the USPA to talk about this, where in the world I can go to get my training, that sort of thing. I see posts here with paraplegics doing AFF - I really cant see why I cant. My budget will now be impacted by the BPAs ruling - if I've got to fly to the states to train, or to South Africa, then that comes out of my budget unfortunately, so closer and cheaper is better. Oh dont worry - the BPA are happy for me to jump with modified gear once off student status (and Aerodyne have come to the rescure and already offered to build a left hand BOC) - I guess they dont want me to go splat on student gear... I'm gutted. Totally. I've built myself up for this so much to have it snatched away at this stage is horrible. I've done 4 tandems in the last month because I'm not allowed to do anything else - I *refuse* to give up now. Someone help. Please?

rofl.

Work Safe? --Ross

I have done so. Thanks again to those that answered, and for the fast response.

Thanks for the rapid response. I was hesitant to talk to a (UK) dealer because I simply dont know what is and isn't possible (its not just a non-standard colour I'm after, but a different deployment afterall). If you think they'll be aproachable about this too, I'll sure give it a go.