82-year-old takes a leap: Oak Trace resident goes skydiving
When given the opportunity, she took the leap. Literally. A huge leap!
Eighty-two-year-old Lindy Pond, a resident of Oak Trace senior living community in Downers Grove, recently fulfilled a long-time dream.
“Skydiving is something I always wanted to do but never had the opportunity for,” she said. When she went with 15 fellow residents of Oak Trace on an outing to the airport in Rochelle, she said, the chance presented itself, and she couldn’t turn it down.
“We went to Chicago Skydiving Center in Rochelle for lunch. There, you can watch people skydiving while you’re eating. You also have the opportunity to sign up and give it a try if you want. I watched a couple of people and thought, ‘If I don’t try it now while I have the opportunity, I never will.’” And so she did.
After watching a short video, Lindy’s dive was done in tandem with an instructor. “We got on a plane and were up three miles high. When you jump, you’re going 100 miles/hour. The instructor does all the work,” she said. She loved the experience.
“I had no second thoughts and wasn’t scared at all. That’s my personality. I’ve been bungee jumping and zip-lining in Panama. I like risky things. The only thing I’m afraid of is water. I love boats but don’t throw me overboard. My kids used to say it’s because I don’t like to get my hair wet,” she said.
“My friends from Oak Trace stayed and watched. They couldn’t believe I did it,” Lindy said. “It’s not something the average person does, especially in our age group.”
Lindy said none of the other residents on the outing wanted to give skydiving a try. Even her boyfriend, John Rohlfing, declined. “He doesn’t like heights,” she said, adding that this sounds slightly ironic. John, who was a TWA pilot for 35 years, explained, “If I’ve got wings, I’m fine, but I can’t make myself step out of something into the air.” He, instead, enjoyed watching Lindy from the ground.
Lindy and John, both of whom moved into Oak Trace within days of each other two years ago, find that the senior living community offers many opportunities for activities, some more traditional than others. They have recently participated in a behind-the-scenes tour of Wrigley Field, a trip to Milwaukee, ballroom dance lessons, and more.
“There’s always the chance to try something new,” Lindy said adding that moving to Oak Trace was one of the best decisions she ever made.
Oak Trace Senior Living
Oak Trace senior living community in Downers Grove is set on more than 40 acres of landscaped grounds featuring gardens, walking paths, ponds and abundant greenspace. Oak Trace has private independent living apartments, as well as assisted living, memory care, skilled care and rehabilitation. The Life Care Community offers guaranteed lifelong care with predictable costs. Oak Trace is owned by Lifespace, a not-for-profit organization with more than 45 years of experience in senior living. To learn more about Oak Trace, visit www.OakTraceSeniorLiving.com.