The dual-harness system for tandem skydivers allows a wide range of disabilities to be accommodated by securely strapping the jumper to a highly qualified instructor. While some disabilities might preclude participation for safety reasons, many of us can now experience the joy of freefall with the proper preparation and support. Over the years, the harness has evolved, and today, should you have limited or no use of your legs or arms, the experience is not off-limits. Once you are ready to go, the boarding process can be a surprisingly smooth and dignified affair. A combination of manpower, lifts, and ramps make transferring to the small skydiving aircraft a breeze.
And it’s not just about physical accommodations. Many skydiving centers have now adopted an all-inclusive spirit, treating blind, low-vision, deaf, hard of hearing, and neurodiverse adrenaline seekers with the respect and encouragement they deserve. After all, we should have the same right to throw ourselves out of a plane as anyone else.
A fellow adventurer I met named Sarah, who is blind, explains that verbal cues replace visual signals when she goes skydiving. Instructors describe every step and sensation, making the experience vivid and exhilarating in its unique way. “It’s like flying in a world of sound,” Sarah explains, her face glowing with the memory of her last jump. For deaf or hard-of-hearing skydivers, instructors can use sign language and other visual communication methods to ensure everyone is on the same page.
In 2019, at the Parachute School of Toronto, bobsleigh Paralympian Lonnie Bissonnette went one step further and performed the first skydive ever conducted in a wheelchair. He rolled out of the aircraft into the air and freefell while in his manual chair before his wheels touched down squarely on the ground in a maneuver that, by comparison, made landing a jumbo jet on the tarmac look boring.
My own jump was unforgettable. The moment we tumbled out of the comfort zone of the plane, freefalling at 120 miles per hour, the rush of wind cleared my mind and my thoughts focused on the present moment, nothing else. We spun in dizzying circles. Then the parachute deployed and everything slowed down. I found myself floating serenely, thrill replaced with peace, Lake Elsinore shimmering beneath us, mountains standing sentinel in the distance and the Pacific Ocean opposite. I looked down to see how my legs were coping; they were as weightless and peaceful as I was.
Ten minutes later, I came back down to Earth without a bang, thanks to the expert handling of my instructor, who used the harness to winch my knees towards my chest and position me on my back on the ground. As I transferred back into my wheelchair (which was waiting for me in the dropzone), I was met with cheers and high-fives. My pounding heart swelled with a sense of accomplishment and, best of all, inclusion.
Skydiving centers making adaptations to enable people with disabilities are opening up the skies to a whole new demographic of adventurers, proving that disability should not be a barrier to anything. For anyone considering taking the plunge, whether you’re a seasoned thrill-seeker or a first-timer, my advice is simple: Go for it. The only problem is what to do next.
