Why would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?
Never Say Never
Twenty-two years ago I answered that question – “to face my fear.” After safely landing a solo jump I heard myself say, “Never again.” Duh! You would think that someone as old as me would know better than to say “never.”
“Never” doesn’t stand a chance against Lori Patrick, especially in her role as the Executive Director for Adeara. I was there in 1998 when Adeara (the Edmonton Dream Centre) began fearlessly transforming the lives of women struggling with addiction, poverty, trauma, and abuse. I’ve spent time in jail for the cause (long story).
Jumping, strapped to a stranger, out of a perfectly good airplane at 14,000 feet, makes sense only to help the cause.
I committed to make The Leap in February 2020.
What I didn’t know then was what awaited me in May.
You can make a difference. Donate here.
The Why
In 1998 the Edmonton Women’s Dream Centre offered hope from a tiny pink house on 96th Street. Since then Adeara has worked fearlessly to transform the lives of women who have been struggling with addiction, poverty, trauma, and abuse.
The women at the Adeara Recovery Centre take a leap of faith everyday – choosing hope over uncertainty, faith over fear, and taking a chance on themselves and others.
“Four years ago my life was in chaos; I was held captive to addiction and in an abusive relationship… After spending one and a half years at Adeara, the knowledge I left with has helped make me who I am today.” Heather
Enter A Retinal Detachment Stage Left
In May, I suffered a full retinal detachment in my right eye which required surgery. Following the surgery I asked if I would be able to sky dive. The look the surgeon gave me answered my question and I assured him I was still fully sane, if partially blind.
What a disappointment. One more downer to add to 2020.
Shortly after my surgery, Jocelyn volunteered to take my place in the leap. We could keep this project in the family. One day after committing to take the leap of faith, she fell when we were out walking, broke her arm and had to have surgery. Now Jocelyn couldn’t make the jump either.
Double disappointment.
Substitute
Fast forward to August 4th. My friend, Reuben Celemin, agreed to take my place and make the leap. Reuben has come to my rescue repeated times as the facility manager at North Pointe and I’ve written about his accomplishments here. My nickname for him is “MacGyver.”
In February I had set a goal of raising $6,600 – $100 for each of my 66 years of life – for Adeara. Generous people have already donated $3,894 for “my” Leap. To date, I am in the lead for the most amount of donors and about $450 behind the most amount of $ raised.
Would you donate a dollar for every year of my life – $66? Rounding up to $100 would be great. Adding a “0” to make it $660 would be awesome! All donations are tax receiptable. Donate here. 
Follow the Leap of Faith at @bobrevwords and witness Reuben’s jump on Saturday September 12th at 8:30am near Westlock, Alberta. I plan to be there.
You can make a difference. 1. Donate here. 2. Share this post on FB or Twitter. 3. Join Jocelyn and I at 8:30am on September 12th in Westlock at Edmonton Skydive for the jump. 4. Leave a comment below. Adeara thanks you and I thank you (and Reuben).
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