IFLY indoor skydiving, why I left and more.. - Page 4 - Other Topics Forum - Discuss Pop Culture, Arts and Entertainment

I was taking things a step further and trying to explore how flying in the tunnel might be beneficial in different ways for different people. For example, my wheelchair bound students. Being in a wheelchair for years obviously has an effect on the body, now placing that person in the wind and stretching them out in a way that is difficult to do outside of the wind may have some physical benefits and definitely mental benefits.

I was curious whether there was any research that suggests this would be helpful (or harmful) for people with mobility disabilities so I googled wind tunnel disability. Most of the top results were about iFLY. It seems like they do a lot of great work with people with disabilities.

From the website of the local iFLY:

Quote:

The freedom to fly... for everyone!

Since our opening, hundreds of people who have a physical or mental disability have come to defy the law of gravity with us. iFLY Toronto offers you the opportunity to enjoy a different experience by participating in a sport adapted to your condition.

Would you like to fly? All you have to do is contact us in advance so that our team can understand your disability and let you know how we can work with you. We will do everything that we can to help you enjoy an unforgettable experience!

From iFLY UK

Quote:

Who can fly? We welcome flyers from 3 to 103 years of age. There are very few reasons why you may not be able to fly and we are super proud of our record of flying those with disabilities of every nature.

All abilities are very welcome "For people with injuries or disabilities, iFLY indoor skydiving is ideal. The experience gives our members the feeling of being active again, and being able to do something that is both challenging and exciting. It’s great to see everyone’s spirits so visibly lifted from their time in the tunnel".
Rosie Thompson - The Not Forgotten Society

Read our blog article about all abilities flying
All three iFLY wind tunnels in the UK are basking in the lovely warm feeling that comes with having just hosted their first ever ‘All Abilities’ event, a concept that was born and raised at iFLY Portland in Oregon just over a year ago. The first event took place on March 2, 2016. Since then the format has spread to all tunnels in the United States and now to iFLY Basingstoke, Milton Keynes and Manchester.

Meeting the needs of flyers with disabilities
The program is specifically designed to meet the needs of flyers with disabilities and was the brainchild of two iFLY Portland employees, Megan Zielinski and Jamee Homuth. Jamee has a child with special needs herself and has experienced firsthand the difficulty in finding activities that are inclusive of people with disabilities. Megan had always dreamed of using the tunnel for occupational and physical therapy purposes at some point in her future. Chatting together during work one day, they decided an event like this was not only a shared passion, but also a necessity for their community. With help from their team, they had the entire event planned and ready to go in less than a month. It sold out in less than 24 hours!

iFLY is delighted to welcome flyers with disabilites, seven days a week, at any time of the year. For more information on specific events within the All Abilities programme email: all-abilities@iflyworld.co.uk

From iFLY Australia

Quote:

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - accessible and inclusive for all abilities

iFLY Downunder (Sydney), Gold Coast and Perth, pride themselves on offering facilities and experiences that are accessible and inclusive for people of all abilities. Indoor skydiving is one of the most all-inclusive activities in the world with the state-of-the-art wind tunnel providing a fully controlled, ultra safe environment giving truly anyone the opportunity to fly.

We have flown wheelchair users, those of low vision, hearing loss, people living with paraplegia and amputees, as well as people living with autism, cerebral palsy and more. There really are no limitations in the sport of indoor skydiving.

In December we gave away 100 free indoor skydiving experiences (over 200 flights!) to people living with a disability. The atmosphere was incredible, the flyers were inspiring, and we're excited to share some of the special moments with you!

Each one of our facilities, iFLY Downunder (Sydney), Gold Coast & Perth, cater to the following: Wheelchair Users, Hearing Loss/Partially Deaf, Low Vision, Psychological Disorders.

iFLY has a record of accommodating those of all abilities, with iFLY Gold Coast recently taking part in the Accessibility Challenge run by GCT in March. Additionally, we have had FSG Australia came and declared iFLY to be ‘accessibly ready’!

We believe that indoor skydiving is a sport for anyone and we are so excited to be able to share the gift of flight with truly everyone. To learn more or for any further information on how we can accommodate your needs, please don't hesitate to contact us on 1300 366 364. iFLY Indoor Skydiving constantly strives to ensure that our facilities are accessible to those of all abilities.

Miami Herald article

Quote:

Kattah and other disabled adventure seekers have found a home once a month at iFly, the indoor skydiving range in Davie. Every second Thursday of the month, iFly hosts All Abilities Night, at which physically challenged patrons can safely try the free-fall simulation in a giant vertical wind tunnel, with the help of friendly, knowledgeable instructors and a supportive group of families and friends.

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05-17-2018 , 01:39 PM

#77

btc

Challah Atcha

Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 2,576

You mentioned something about potential health benefits and I'm just curious if that was part of your marketing? Are you trying to do empirical research under the guise of these events?

What is the goal of kvetching here? Use the score site to find someone in your area who can help you push your mission forward. The Special Olympics can afford a wind tunnel, maybe you should contact them too. Plenty of other ways to get back to fighting the good fight.

Last edited by btc; 05-17-2018 at 01:49 PM.

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05-17-2018 , 01:39 PM

#78

ChipWrecked

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 13,006

I live near an IFLY facility.

I will now never take my kids there, thus contributing to their bankruptcy, which they deserve.

Also I'm curious what benefits are derived from flying tube therapy as opposed to a pool.

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05-17-2018 , 02:31 PM

#79

jmakin

banned

Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 30,120

OP’s story is lacking key details and doesn’t make sense.

He’s not willing to provide those details itt.

Seems like a grifter to me, but I dont see the scame (other than gofundme’s being like 98% scam).

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05-17-2018 , 02:47 PM

#80

lonely_but_rich

ɔarpal \ʇunnel

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 24,110

I think he wants to open a wind tunnel healing church.

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05-17-2018 , 03:25 PM

#81

Tom Ames

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 45,780

Fly Free or Die!

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05-17-2018 , 04:50 PM

#82

txdome

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 17,928

Their prices are only 2/3rds of what real skydiving costs and you have navigate around "touched" people?

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05-17-2018 , 05:36 PM

#83

Tuma

Worships Amon-Ra

Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 16,399

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmakin

My guess is the guy is telling half of the story truthfully and just wants iFLY to burn to the ground.

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05-17-2018 , 05:39 PM

#84

Jabrel3

newbie

Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 43

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonely_but_rich

I think he wants to open a wind tunnel healing church.

And Gabe said “let there be wind!”

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05-17-2018 , 05:44 PM

#85

Jabrel3

newbie

Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuma

My guess is the guy is telling half of the story truthfully and just wants iFLY to burn to the ground.

Now we’re getting somewhere. We’re going to rebrand IFLY, “Gabe’s Healing Church of Wind”

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05-17-2018 , 05:55 PM

#86

amead

veteran

Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,472

Zero chance things went down as posted in the OP. But everyone already knows this.

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05-17-2018 , 06:04 PM

#87

Jabrel3

newbie

Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 43

Quote:

Originally Posted by amead

Zero chance things went down as posted in the OP. But everyone already knows this.

Yea bro, you’re right, big corporations never do anything wrong. Also I made all this up because I’m bored of poker. My photo editing skills are pretty good though at least.

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05-17-2018 , 06:15 PM

#88

txdome

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 17,928

Which hand is best in the big blind Four-of-a-kind, Royal flush, or straight?

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05-17-2018 , 06:16 PM

#89

JinX11

veteran

Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 2,908

5* potential

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05-17-2018 , 06:25 PM

#90

Jabrel3

newbie

Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 43

Quote:

Originally Posted by txdome

Which hand is best in the big blind Four-of-a-kind, Royal flush, or straight?

Pocket jokers

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05-17-2018 , 07:00 PM

#91

txdome

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 17,928

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jabrel3

Pocket jokers

Whoa! This guy is legit.

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05-17-2018 , 07:34 PM

#92

Jabrel3

newbie

Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuma

My guess is the guy is telling half of the story truthfully and just wants iFLY to burn to the ground.

No I don’t want IFLY to burn lol, I need a windy tube to shred now and then. Maybe check out Glassdoor and see what some other former employees are saying about their experiences with this great company that many are jumping to defend.

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05-17-2018 , 07:52 PM

#93

matrat

adept

Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 913

No one is defending them. They're just pointing out that your story doesn't make sense and you are probably leaving out key details.

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05-17-2018 , 07:54 PM

#94

matrat

adept

Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 913

Also note that no one is doubting your story of helping sick/disabled people use the wind tunnels.

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05-17-2018 , 08:21 PM

#95

Jabrel3

newbie

Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 43

Quote:

Originally Posted by matrat

No one is defending them. They're just pointing out that your story doesn't make sense and you are probably leaving out key details.

Right, but that is just an assumption based on it “not making sense.” I agree it doesn’t make sense and I’ve tried to answer the questions, people have been very quick though to mock or ridicule me and that’s fine but I’m proud of what I did with my time there and if ever given the opportunity I would continue to do the work I was doing.

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05-17-2018 , 08:27 PM

#96

jmakin

banned

Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 30,120

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Diablo

Jab,

When you say you can’t do an event, what does that mean? You’ve tried to book a group outing there and they’ve refused your business?

Maybe try answering this question then, because it seems pretty crucial to your story.

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05-17-2018 , 08:46 PM

#97

Losing all

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 7,087

and the dullards shall inherit the cure, for wind...

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05-17-2018 , 08:47 PM

#98

Jabrel3

newbie

Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 43

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmakin

Maybe try answering this question then, because it seems pretty crucial to your story.

Yes, that is exactly what happened.

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05-17-2018 , 08:56 PM

#99

jmakin

banned

Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 30,120

Ok. So, this company has a great track record with catering to the disabled, presumably likes business, and you bring clients to them and they say no? There's some intermediate part of the story missing here, can you see why people are skeptical?