#32 Over the Edge

Yes, I went over the edge and I can't believe that I was crazy enough to do it!.

So what was this all about? Well I was watching TV one day and I saw that they were repelling down the side of a building here in Rochester for a charity and I thought "That is so cool, I want to do that"...but it was too late to raise $1000 to do it here in Rochester so I searched for places in NY with upcoming opportunities.

What I found was Over the Edge for Special Olympics of Western New York's Event in Niagara Falls. http://overtheedge.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=419756 . The event was scheduled for July 29th and I had to raise $1000 for Special Olympics before the first week in July in order to assure my chances to go "Over the Edge".

Special Olympics is something that was near and dear to my heart because when I was a little girl my mom volunteered with Special Olympics and I can remember going to see her volunteering. When I was older, my first job out of college was with the ARC and those guys were so special to me, that I wanted to do this in honor of them.

My friends are amazing!!! They gave and gave and gave and I reached and surpassed the $1000 mark!

Then, only 4 weeks before the event I fell and injured my ankle. But I was determined that no matter what, I was going to go and do this. I figured, I don't really need a foot to repel, I need my arms mostly.

The day of the event arrived and Ms. M and headed off to Niagara Falls. All of the sudden the nerves kicked in as we were driving. When we got there, I thought for sure they would say something to me about my crutches.....but this was for Special Olympics after all, so nope....no one said a word! Once I was escorted up to the suite where they prepped me and they put the harness on me all the nerves disappeared, they just left and I was calm (almost eerie calm). We went up to the roof for our "lesson".....

When the time came I had to first sit on the edge of the building with my back to the crowd, then stand (try that one leg people!) The guys who were working with me were too funny as we were cracking jokes about it being their first time doing this etc, etc....But all during this I'm having fun, I'm calm, I'm not even thinking about the fact that in moments I'm going to repel down 27 STORIES!!! THEN the moment of truth......I was asked to sit back like sitting in a chair with my feet on the side of the building, and so I do it. I think I shocked the guy a bit because he asked "are you sure you have never done this before?" No, I reply as I start to descend.....

Remembering to stop and look around, I take a brief moment to look to my left and right (you really can't look behind you very well) and what an awesome view of the Niagara Falls area I had!!! What also was amazing (and very unexpected) was that the building was mirrored so as I repelled I got to see everything around me as I descended---how cool!

I thought it would be very difficult to do because when I had watched the newscaster repel he kept saying how hard it was and he sounded out of breath, but I found it easy. I slowly released with my hands and slowly walked with my legs down the side of the building---I felt like spider woman! I think that the injury actually prepared me for the repel because the 4 weeks on crutches had strengthened my arms and grip so that I was strong enough to perform the task without difficulty. And I was right, I really did not need my feet much, they just lightly touched the building as I traveled down until they met me at the bottom with my crutches.

What an amazing sense of accomplishment to reach the bottom. It is an experience I never would have ever considered doing if it was not for "The List". Although my parents almost killed me (they threated to lock me away prior to the repel) and made me promise to NEVER do it again, I'm so grateful to my friends who supported me and donated to this worthy cause to give me this amazing and unforgettable opportunity.

Going Over the Edge enforced how much I have grown in the past year in trusting God. I used to be so afraid of heights and I cannot even fathom wanting to do this in the past, but I have overcome those fears and stepped out in a kind of faith and trust that filled me with a sense of strength and joy and peace....... for that, I am truly blessed!