ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — On World Skydiving Day, the skies were filled with people flying through the air before gracefully landing on the grounds of Zephryhills Skydive City.
Joe Rego had the best seat in the house. A torn hamstring kept him from participating in the third annual celebration. But he got to really appreciate all that the sport of skydiving offers.
“Right now, it’s really a parachute envy because I’m stuck on the ground with an injury, wishing I could be flying parachutes,” Rego said.
Forget therapy, skydiving is all that Rego needs. From the moment he took his first leap of faith, it has helped him truly find himself. And it helped him overcome one of the biggest challenges in his life.
Zephryhills Skydive City (Spectrum Sports 360)
A little over a year ago, Rego was diagnosed with chronic heart failure. Resigned to living out his life to the fullest, he took up skydiving. And in the process of learning all the ins and outs of the sport, Rego dropped 90 pounds and reversed his diagnosis. Skydiving literally saved his life.
“If I didn’t have skydiving to be a positive, something positive for me to work towards, I don’t think I could have gotten back into shape, got rid of all the negative things in my life, reversed my diagnosis,” he said.
That’s what skydiving does. It brings out the best in everyone who takes part.
Forget therapy, skydiving is all that Joe Rego needs. (Spectrum Sports 360)
“Most people do this, initially, for the rush,” Skydive City owner Kyle Salvato said. “But I think what ends up happening is they fall in love with the community, the type of person and the camaraderie that it brings to do such a special thing like jump out of an airplane together.”
For Rego, skydiving has become an integral part of his life. And something he can’t live without.
“It totally changed my life,” he said, “saved my life and now I just try to help others find that same meaning in skydiving that I found.”
Katherine Smith
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