I wanted to do the skydive to raise awareness about autism

I wanted to do the skydive to raise awareness about autism

6 December 2023

AS my father Eamonn and I pulled up to the Garvagh Road airfield on Saturday, November 11, for my charity skydive, I have to admit I was scared, but I wanted to raise as much as I could for Autism NI.

Having seen the skydive advertised on LinkedIn, I wanted to help raise funds for the charity that raises awareness of people and families living with autism on a daily basis.

I live with autism and found the idea of skydiving to raise money for a charity that is important to me very exciting.

Everyone on the ASD spectrum is different, but they all show the same traits irrespective of how miild or severe their condition is.

I was diagnosed with autism when I was 10. I am now 36, but while I was at school, I masked my autism.

I did this by trying to fit in and attend after-school activities to make friends which led me to join Downpatrick Scout Club which allowed me to participate in Autism NI fundraisers and volunteer with Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick.

It was there that I met other people with severe cases of autism and the difference that AutismNI can make to these young people’s lives – we need charities like this.

The charity provides help to everyone on the ASD spectrum and provides support to thousands of parents that care for children living with autism on a daily basis.

With no Northern Ireland Assembly or Executive, the charities cannot get the necessary money to continue to provide these resources.

This is why I wanted to do the skydive – to raise awareness about autism and the crucial work the charity provides.

After arriving at the Coleraine airfield, I could see five people getting ready for their skydive.

While we were waiting, we tried looking up to see if we could spot anyone in the air and while it was hard to see people skydiving, once their parachutes were released, they were in different colours so we were able to follow each of them as they made their descent – they were coming down like rockets.

My father and I enjoyed a cup of coffee and a bun before my group was brought in and given a safety briefing by one of the instructors. 

Each person was paired and harnessed with a professional skydiver – I was paired with William who skydives up to six times a day. He explained that we would be jumping out at 10,000ft at a temperature of -10 degrees.

As the skydive was for Autism NI, I asked another skydiving instructor to film his fall – from jumping off the plane until he and William landed on the ground.

When we got to 10,000ft, we made some last minute safety checks and made sure that I was tightly attached to William. I remembered thinking “there is no way back now”.

We edged closer to the door of the plane where John — who was filming me — opened it.

John made his jump first and we followed closely behind.

Descending from 10,000ft, I was able to perform somersaults and could see all of Northern Ireland. We could even see Scotland in the distance.

I don’t think words can do the parachute jump justice. It was fantastic and a once-in-a- lifetime thing to do.

When you are up in the air, you feel like you are the king of the world – I think everyone should do it because it gives you a real appreciation of the world we live in.

I raised over £500 for Autism NI and I know the charity will use the money well to continue to provide brilliant services to people who need them.