Team Independence '09

Dave and Chris, you never stop amazing us with your achievements, which are an inspiration to all. Congratulations on your world record sky dive and good luck on your next adventure.

Gordon

Team Independence successfully world record sky dives to coincide with the International Day of Disabled Persons (see news and multimedia).

On December 3, 2009 the “Team Independence” of David Shannon and Christopher Watkins (both individuals living with disabilities) will embark on a world record sky dive outside of New Orleans, La. in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons. The sky dive will be facilitated by Incredible Adventures Inc. (www.incredible-adventures.com) with whom Dave and Chris will Dream the Extreme.

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Going into thin air above the area climbers call the 'Death Zone" David Shannon and Chris Watkins, plan to make a world record ski dive from over 30,000 feet. This will be an attempt David Shannon and Chris Watkins on December 3, 2009 will attempt a world altitude record for civilians in a tandem jump. It is certainly something that no person with quadriplegia or significant arthritis have ever considered possible. They have been training and jumps took place in august the highest from around 13,000 feet. To go higher will require special training, equipment and expert oversight.

David Shannon met with a Thunder Bay man who had received a heart transplant. This amazing firefighter has already been to Antarctica. We will keep you updated on his progress.

It was a great night in Thunder Bay when the Italian Vice Consul Veronica Ferrucci, came up from Toronto and congratulated the Team on taking two Italian flags to the North Pole. This had been done at the request of the Mayor of the Italian sister to Thunder Bay. It was a great honor and we made her and the local consul as well as the head of the local Italian Society Joe Nucci all honorary team members.

I am planing a trip to the north west passage in 2011. I am a T12 para and am doing the whole trip under my own power using mobilty devices designed by my son. He has already designed and built most of the equipment for the trip, a wheelchair that you can put skis on when you need it, a chair with ice tires and a crank system and several more cool inventions... My son became an engeneer for the sole reason of designing devices to get me back to sports and back to life. We would love to get involved with you guys to help you acheve your goals.

Thats right its official David and Chris plan to gather and head an International South Pole Expedition in 2011. This unbelievable event will be in celebration in breaking one of the last great barriers on the planet. The lost frozen continent of Antarctica and the South Pole.