Law Times

December 14, 2009

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Law Times • December 14, 2009 Pair breaks record in second major feat this year NEWS Lawyers jump for a cause BY TIM SHUFELT Law Times forces working against him. Still, he chose to subject himself to some rather potent forces of nature by plunging out of a plane in the middle of the stratosphere earlier this month. Along with his friend Chris- A topher Watkins, who suf- fers from arthritis, the pair of Thunder Bay lawyers com- pleted a potentially dangerous high-altitude skydive to raise awareness about people living with disabilities. "There's this total dichoto- my," Shannon says of the jump. On the one hand, he tried to take in the spectacular scenery. On the other, he was faced with "the most vicious wind you've ever felt, and you're hoping your chute is going to open. Hoping that every risk that is present doesn't come true." Having jumped from more than 8,000 metres in the air, Shannon broke the record for a skydive by a quadriplegic, ac- cording to Watkins. In another historic first, earlier this year he became the first person with quadriplegia to reach the North Pole. Next year, the pair is planning to trek in the other direction, all the way to the South Pole. The point of their feats is in part to demonstrate the capa- bilities of people with disabili- ties, Watkins says. "People are capable of ac- complishing great goals re- gardless of the challenges they have," he says. "I think he's a great role model." But the ultimate goal is to raise money for a scholarship program for students with dis- abilities, Shannon says. After a lifetime of personal accomplishments, he is now turning his focus outwards. "I'm not that interested any- more in just fending for my- self," he says. He points out that students with disabilities are twice as likely to opt out of post-sec- ondary education. But the crucial time to reach out is the early years of high school, when students with disabilities are at the greatest risk of dropping out, he says. "They feel isolated socially. They will get disengaged and lose interest." He adds he's not limiting the scope of his vision for a schol- arship program. "I'd like to see thousands of students benefit over several years." And he says he hopes some of those same people will be in- spired by his jump. Shannon and Watkins went outside New Orleans for their high-altitude, low-opening (HALO) jump traditionally per- formed by military personnel. HALO jumps, however, are complicated and can be risky due to the lack of oxygen at the dizzying heights. "After 15,000 feet, there Ontario Lawyer's Phone Book 2010 Your most complete directory of Ontario lawyers, law firms, judges and courts With more than 1,400 pages of essential legal references, Ontario Lawyer's Phone Book is your best connection to legal services in Ontario. Subscribers can depend on the credibility, accuracy and currency of this directory year after year. More detail and a wider scope of legal contact information for Ontario than any other source • More than 26,000 lawyers • More than 9,300 law firms and corporate offices • Fax and telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, office locations and postal codes and more ORDER your copy today Perfectbound • December 2009 Standing order $64 P/C 0514140999 Current edition $67 P/C 0514010999 • ISSN 0845-4832 simply is not enough oxygen to breathe," Watkins says. So jumpers must wear oxy- gen tanks and heavy gear to protect against the -60 C air. Also, all nitrogen must be flushed from the bloodstream; otherwise, the ascent can cause decompression sickness, which can be fatal. "Essentially, the reverse of a deep scuba dive is in play," Watkins says. During the ascent, the pair breathed in pure oxygen to rid of all the nitrogen. At about 8,200 metres, however, one of the instructors lost his oxygen supply and went unconscious. The plane had to quickly dive to reach an area with breathable air. The jolt of the plunge, how- ever, dislodged the tube sup- plying Shannon's oxygen. "So I started to suffocate, too," s a quadriplegic, lawyer David Shannon knows what it's like to have PAGE 5 David Shannon and Christopher Watkins made a record-breaking skydive this month in a bid to raise awareness about people with disabilities. he says. His supply was restored, but the jump was aborted. The two lawyers then dis- cussed whether they should give up on the jump altogether. "David decided to go back up; he's a very brave guy," Wat- kins says. So the pair got in the plane a second time. But the oxygen problems continued. Shannon lost his supply a few more times. Watkins, too, had breathing problems and he began to lose consciousness be- fore they both jumped out the plane's door. Watkins says he dropped for about 3,000 metres before he fully regained his senses. Dropping in a free fall for more than two minutes, the jumpers hit speeds in excess of 200 kilometres an hour, Shannon says. "It's an important aware- raiser," ness he says. "This accomplishment is a signal that we're serious." The pair has since returned to Thunder Bay where Watkins practises criminal, real estate, civil, and criminal injuries compensation law. Shannon received his law de- gree from Dalhousie University's law school and later attended the London School of Economics for further studies. He is cur- rently pursuing a doctorate from the University of Leeds. He has received various honours throughout his life, including the Queen's Jubilee Medal for his work on human rights and community service. He was also the founding chair- man of the Accessibility Advi- sory Council of Ontario and a member of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. His prac- tice is concentrated mainly on administrative law. LT For a 30-day, no-risk evaluation call: 1.800.565.6967 Canada Law Book is a Division of The Cartwright Group Ltd. Prices subject to change without notice, to applicable taxes and shipping & handling. www.lawtimesnews.com LPB_2010_LT_Nov30_09.indd 1 11/26/09 1:41:32 PM Multiple copy discounts available

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