102-Year-Old Woman Sets Record for Oldest Human Being To Skydive
Some say age is just a number, but others are living proof this much is true. Elderly people have accomplished some incredible things over the years.
If we’re talking Biblical times, Sarah was over 90 years old when she gave birth to Isaac. Abraham was over 100.
Imagine being 100 years old and becoming a parent for the first time. I can’t even imagine what this couple must have felt.
Many of us have lost great-grandparents, grandparents and even parents who never lived to see 70 years, let alone 80, 90 or 100.
Then again, 100 isn’t what it used to be. Or is it? I guess it all really depends on who you are. One woman has defied all odds by becoming the oldest person to break a certain world record.
Irene O’Shea is 102… and 194 days old. The Australia native took her first skydive when she turned 100 years of age in 2016. But that wasn’t enough for the risk-taker.
Since celebrating the centennial milestone, O’Shea decided to make her plunge an annual event, according to SA Skydiving.
Now she’s become the oldest person ever to skydive, having beaten the last record breaker, 101-year-old Bryson William Verdun Hayes, a D-day veteran who was crowned champ in 2017, The Guardian reported.
O’Shea’s annual thrill ride is more than just fun and games, though. The 102-year-old is jumping from a plane for a good cause. A cause that holds a very personal meaning to her.
“Irene became the oldest skydiver in the World, raising awareness and money for MND South Australia,” SA Skydiving shared on Facebook.
Her cause has a heart behind it. Sadly, O’Shea’s daughter died of MND (Motor Neurone Disease) 10 years ago. It’s a heartbreaking thing to outlive one’s children.
“An incredible woman, achieving incredible things,” SA Skydiving wrote. Indeed. We applaud this woman’s spunk and efforts to raise funds for a good cause.
O’Shea took her latest 14,000-foot dive with instructor Jed Smith. Smith has over 10 years and 3,700 skydives under his belt, according to SA Skydiving.
The pair landed smoothly and O’Shea was greeted by her loved ones on the ground. A GoFundMe campaign hopes to raise $10,000 for MNDSA.
To learn more about O’Shea and her cause, you can visit the campaign’s page or check out MNDSA’s website.
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