Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Jennifer’s feat 4yrs after accident
STUDENT Jennifer Smyth has proved the sky’s the limit despite suffering catastrophic damage to her spine in a freak gymnastics accident almost four years ago.
The 20-year-old broke her neck and crushed her spinal cord in the fall, affecting both her legs and arms.
But since that life-changing day Jennifer has fought back against what she describes as “just another injury but one which will take a bit longer to recover from”.
Refusing to let any obstacle get in her way as she battles to walk again, the brave Co Derry woman has completed a skydive from 12,000ft at the Irish Parachute Club’s Carrickfinn dropzone in Donegal.
She said: “I’m still high. It was the most exhilarating experience of my life.
“I was there supporting the No Barriers Foundation who are fundraising to buy an eksoskeleton for their local communities.”
Jennifer herself uses this vital piece of equipment, which moves her legs, reminding her body and brain of normal walking movements.
And she told how thrilling it was to leap out of the plane, along with her tandem instructor Tony, on Saturday.
She added: “I wasn’t nervous going up in the plane but the minute the door opened when we got to 12,000ft then that’s when they [the nerves] kicked in.
“I actually can’t explain how amazing it was during freefall.
“We were falling at 200km an hour which was unreal and I had my camera flyer recording it all for me which I can’t wait to see. We also went through the
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clouds which was surreal and you could actually feel the water sting your face on the way through because you were falling so fast.
“Then when the parachute opened it was just amazing, everything was so quiet and peaceful and the views across Donegal were stunning.
“I absolutely loved it and would love to do it again.” As Jennifer, from Eglinton, continues her determined battle to walk again she will travel to the Next Step Rehabilitation Centre in Florida later this month.
She said: “I am going to America for some high-intensity physio. I was there for a month last year but this time I’m going for two weeks.
“I will work for two hours every day from Monday to Friday on everything from electrical stimulation to walking on a treadmill and in a harness.
“The progress I make there is fantastic and last year I took my first steps which showed me that I can really do this.
“I would love to be able to stay there longer because the difference it makes to me is amazing.
“I am determined to walk again and this is just another step on that journey.”
To learn more about Jennifer and help fund her vital physiotherapy visit www.gofundme.com/jennifers-journey-to-walk-again.