Skydivers open our eyes
IN what’s believed to be an Australian-first, 10 legally blind locals threw themselves out of a perfectly good plane above the Gold Coast last Saturday to smash stereotypes.
The tandem skydive was organised by Forward Steps Mobility specialist support worker Kim Pilic. She’s determined to defy and reshape socially constructed barriers, including misconceptions about what people who are blind or vision impaired can and can’t do.
“These skydivers are people with personalities and names, who can all speak for themselves in determining their own recreational interests and choices, including tandem skydiving,” she said.
“Forward Steps Mobility is about reshaping social misconceptions through a philosophical and practical stance during our unique group activities.”
Those who jumped usually use either a guide, seeing eye dog or white cane when travelling around the community independently. Many of their four-legged friends eagerly awaited the arrival of their mates on Kirra Beach after a 40-second free fall from about 10,000 feet.
George Vorkas, of Coombabah, said too many visionimpaired Gold Coasters were “stuck at home on the couch” feeling isolated, because until Ms Pilic’s service came along, few exciting outdoor adventures were on offer.
“It’s been life changing for me to be offered help to get active in the community, it’s improved my self worth incredibly. You have no idea how humiliating is it trying to go out on your own but services
such as this do exist for people like me.”
Mr Vorkas, 55, who has 1 per cent vision, said skydiving was “terrifying and exhilarating all rolled into one”.
“The moment I hit the ground I wanted to jump back on the plane and do it again.”
Ms Pilic said as an orientation and mobility specialist, she focused on the abilities of people who were blind or had low vision.
“My focus is always
strengths-based as I consider the possibilities for each individual’s community access, independence and recreational participation,” she said.
“The tandem-skydiving idea actually germinated after being privy to a conversation between two legally blind dog guide travellers who are clients. I knew skydiving would be something daring as well as promoting an extreme sensory experience.”
Gold Coast Skydive owner
Archie Jamieson said his instructors found the experience incredibly rewarding.
He said his business was sitting at 70 per cent after the COVID-19 pandemic smashed tourist numbers.
“I still have a staff of 18, it was 23 before COVID, so we’re slowly clawing our way back.”
Mr Jamieson said the least experienced of his jumpers still had 10,000 skydives under their belts.