Team Independence '09

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. Pure Oxygen will have to be breathed for several hours before the jump and special protective equipment and masks worn to keep out the fridgid temperatures and to supply oxygen while falling at terminal velocity throught the high atmosphere.

They call this event, Project Phoenix, and it will be conducted on December 3, 2009, as it is the International Disability Day. The location is very special " New Orleans" a city which is rising from the ashes breaking through its own barriers. Showing that when people come together there is no project to big or a barrier that cannot be broken. When Katrina hit David and Chris and other members of Team Independence were there raising funds and donating so much to Katria Relief, that the Mayor of that City sent them a special letter of thanks and an open invitation to attend New Orleans. Team Independence, also recognize that many people with disability suffered greatly during that disaster. They are asking that future disaster planning pay special attention to evacuation of these vulnerable persons. A special register should be created and all disaster relief agencies should be advised of how best to work in prudent and principled relief effort. We all push forward as old barriers fall and new ideas rise and sore like a Phoenix.