calledisrael

Yup. I had a torn labrum and a Bankart repair, after repeat dislocations, after AFF 6... Laid off/recovered for about 4 months, then I did 3 tunnel flights and a tandem before I finished my A. I had pretty high anxiety after my accident, and both of those helped me prove to myself that I could jump and not have my shoulder come out again. I don't jump anymore... but no regrets. Still so glad I did it all.

After I had surgery to repair my shoulder I did one tandem and flew in the tunnel -- just to be sure I felt confident. (I had had /multiple/ in-air dislocations, though... so it had started to create an emotional reaction in me...) Do what you need to feel solid - you'll be fine.

I'll chime in to say that I too had multiple dislocations, and each time it came out more easily (by the 4th time, my shoulder would come out in freefall - no grips needed, just through air pressure) - It's so worth getting it fixed. I had surgery (Bankart repair) and PT for a few months, and now my repaired shoulder is stronger and more secure than my uninjured one. Left OR right, repeatedly landing a parachute with both toggles in one hand is NOT a lot of fun. It won't keep you from jumping - if you take the time to get it healthy to jump. After PT I tested it in the tunnel and on a tandem (enough strength to pull) - and was confident.

I've never wanted to base jump, but this video made my Monday morning much better

so sad to hear this. aggieland made skydiving real and fun for me, and i drove pretty far (and past at least 2 dzs) to get there when i could go. good good people. best of luck to todd and kathy.

I work at JSC... and I just checked on things; pretty sure (for the moment, at least) - we are still on... life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. (helen keller)

personally i like trauma center: new blood. there's something about doing surgery on people, cutting them open, that makes me feel better after a bad day

Exactly. When my sister wanted to jump (tandem), I drove her the 2 hours to my favorite small DZ rather than take her the 30 minutes to the local very large one. The big DZ is a great place, but she had a much better experience for a first-timer at the small - everyone talked to her, she felt connected, it became a personal thing instead of an anonymous-push-through-the-tandem-machine sort of deal. If someone wants to become a jumper, though, the previous poster is completely right: start the place you want to stay or would go most frequently. Make friends, build relationships from the start. Have fun!! There is incredible jumping weather in Texas today, I'm sending some of it your way

i had the exact same injury two summers ago, spiral fracture of right fibula, about 3 inches above my ankle. i didn't jump for 7 months, because i didn't feel completely back to normal and pain free until then... ... but as everyone said, it depends on you and your injury and your recovery and your doctor. life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. (helen keller)

I had the same surgery after an accident and 2 in-air dislocations. Wore a brace for my next 3 jumps with no incident - it was probably all mental, honestly. I don't remember what the name of my brace is but I will look when I get home. I do confess, the tunnel wrecked me. I didn't have trouble per se but could hardly raise my arm for the rest of the day - but 30 min is way longer than a skydive. This was about 8 months post-op. life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. (helen keller)

one of the instructors at the dz where i did aff always recommended one of those balance balls, the big ones that they use in pilates - talk to an instructor if you want to know how to do it. i used to read arched backwards over it, head almost on the floor... and i was always a good arch-er.

I just ordered my iphone, Nina. You know you want to. Don't settle for imitation

get your shoulder looked at. just to be safe. i injured mine once jumping and didn't think it could be that bad, it was better in a few days. what had been one dislocation became 3, and it got worse, not better. be safe and get it checked out, for your skydiving future. just saying...

i wondered if any of you pilot-types could advise me... i want to get my dad a magazine subscription or two for christmas. he gets "AOPA Pilot" - can anyone suggest something else that's really good? thank you very much

no, you're right. the capsule/vehicle is called orion. the rocket is called ares. the whole program is called constellation. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/main/index.html life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. (helen keller)