Skydiving with Disability: Inspiring Tandem Jump
- The "Handitandem" initiative, which gives individuals with physical disabilities the chance to experience skydiving, has officially launched in Ireland.The inaugural event took place in clonbullogue, County Offaly, at...
- Originating with a French Rotary club, the program gained traction after Portlaoise Rotary members learned about its potential benefits.
- Three participants took part in the initial handitandem jump, with hopes to expand the initiative in the future. Kae Delaney, who has cerebral palsy and lives in Portarlington,...
Handitandem has launched in Ireland, offering individuals with physical disabilities the exhilarating experience of skydiving.This initiative, originating from a french Rotary club, provides a tandem skydiving experience to those who might not otherwise have the chance. The first Irish jump took place in County Offaly, with participants like Kae Delaney, who has cerebral palsy, calling it “amazing.” Participants are reporting both mental and physical benefits, including weeks of pain relief for some, thanks to the positive effects of adrenaline. The program aims to be a recurring event promoting skydiving for disabled participants. For more news like this, News Directory 3 can help. discover what’s next for Handitandem!
Skydiving for Disabled Participants: “Handitandem” Launches in Ireland
Updated June 06, 2025
The “Handitandem” initiative, which gives individuals with physical disabilities the chance to experience skydiving, has officially launched in Ireland.The inaugural event took place in clonbullogue, County Offaly, at the Irish Parachute Club.
Originating with a French Rotary club, the program gained traction after Portlaoise Rotary members learned about its potential benefits. Maeve Furey, president of Portlaoise Rotary, said the club established a relationship with the French originators to bring the skydiving for disabled participants program to Ireland. The goal is simple: to offer a tandem skydiving experience to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Three participants took part in the initial handitandem jump, with hopes to expand the initiative in the future. Kae Delaney, who has cerebral palsy and lives in Portarlington, was among the first to take the plunge. “It was amazing,” Delaney said. “I never thought I would get the chance to do somthing like this.” When asked if she would jump again, she responded with an enthusiastic “absolutely.”
I gather from those who have done it that a parachute jump is an exhilarating never to be forgotten experience.Our friends in Rotary de Matha have stories of disabled people who got weeks of pain relief after jumping due to the positive adrenaline effects on them. So, we see great potential benefits for people both mentally and physically in this initiative.
what’s next
Organizers plan to build on the success of the first event, offering more opportunities for people with disabilities to experience the thrill of skydiving. the Portlaoise Rotary hopes to make Handitandem a recurring event, providing both mental and physical benefits to participants.