Why We Rappel

Get to know former Skyline Plunge! Chicago participants.
Read about their motivations for participating.
 

Rappeller Spotlight: Holly Jamison Holly Jamison wanted to do something big for her upcoming 65th birthday. She wanted to prove to herself and others that 65 isn't old, and that it certainly doesn't mean that she has to quit being active. "I wanted it to be something that would show the world that when you're becoming a senior citizen, you don't just lie back," Holly said.               Chris and Holly Active in the health and fitness industry for 25 years, Holly wanted to do something to celebrate her health. She wanted to do something physically challenging. Something that helped other people. Something that friends and family could be a part of with her. Something she had never done before. She found Skyline Plunge! Chicago. On September 12, Holly will rappel 27 stories down theWit Hotel at the intersection of State and Lake Streets. Her family and friends will be waiting on the ground, watching and cheering as she lowers herself down 278 feet to safely reach the street. It's definitely something she has never done before. "Jumping off the side of a building will just be this huge adrenaline rush!" Holly said. In addition to the thrill of the event and defying the definition of what "seniors" do, Holly is dedicated to supporting people who have lung disease. Hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Skyline Plunge! Chicago will raise more than $110,000 for lung disease research, advocacy and education. For Holly, the cause is personal. Her sister, Chris, has struggled with bronchiectasiss for more than 40 years. "I just wanted to honor her struggles with lung disease," Holly said, her whole face lighting up at the mere mention of her sister. "She is a very, very neat lady." A rare lung disease, bronchiectasis causes Chris's lungs to fill with mucous and makes her more susceptible to respiratory infections but less apt to recover from them. "She works really hard to maintain her health as best as she can," Holly said. "But she knows that there are certain things she can't control no matter how hard she works, no matter how much she does." Chris's efforts to stay healthy inspire Holly to do even more. "It's made me pay attention to my own health and be very grateful," Holly said.   Rappeller Spotlight: Lori Duvall             "It's awesome to be able to rappel down a skyscraper in the middle of Chicago," Lori Duvall said. "Most people think I'm crazy for doing this, but I'm not worried about it!" On September 12, Lori Duvall will rappel 27 stories down theWit Hotel as part of Skyline Plunge! Chicago, a fundraiser for Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago.               Sean and Lori The event will raise more than $110,000 to support lung health throughout Chicagoland, a cause that Lori takes seriously. Lori is an occupational therapist who works with children in school to improve their motor skills, social skills and independence. Being in grade schools all day, she sees the impact asthma has on a child's life. She is dedicating her rappel to Sean, a child with whom she had worked. Though Lori did not work with Sean because of his asthma, in the five years that they worked together, the severity of his symptoms frequently interfered with their appointments and their work. "Sometimes our appointments would be cancelled because he was in the hospital for a week," Lori said. "I know that has to be scary for the kids and the families. He's a really strong kid and he pushes through and takes it all in stride, but it can't be fun." Their experience is not a unique one. The asthma hospitalization rate in Chicago is nearly double the national average, and asthma is a leading cause of school absences due to a chronic disease. Because of his asthma, Sean was not allowed to play outside on days that were under 45 degrees, which meant many of his school days were spent inside while his classmates were at recess. Being restricted from play time meant that he couldn't burn off his extra energy, and it also interfered with the social skills he and Lori were working to build. "That was very disappointing to me," Lori said. "I tried to figure out if we could have small groups do activities inside so he wasn't by himself, and I also tried to get him to be in gym with another class while his classmates were at recess." Although Sean is no longer her client, Lori keeps in touch with him and his family. At Skyline Plunge!, they will be watching from the corner of State and Lake Streets as she rappels 278 feet of theWit Hotel. "I'm definitely excited about rappelling," Lori said. "But with the cause being lung disease, Sean is the first thing that entered my mind. I'm glad to be furthering the cause so that kids like him can play outside." Funds raised by Lori and other rappellers will support local research and lung health education. For kids with asthma, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago provides school-based programs to improve their self-management and asthma knowledge. In addition, the association is currently involved in various research projects on pediatric asthma.