FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) – Kathy James, a 60-year-old nurse from Hurricane, is gearing up to take on extreme sports during Bridge Day. A native of Oak Hill, she has long dreamed of jumping from the New River Gorge Bridge, an ambition sparked when she performed with the Oak Hill High School Band at the bridge’s opening.
For over a decade, James faced a challenge that held her back: bunions, a painful bone deformity in her feet. Nearly a year ago, she underwent a successful surgery called lapiplasty, performed by her colleague, Dr. Douglas Dockery. “The surgery corrects the deformity rather than shaving the bone. The recovery was quick and not very painful, which has brought me to this moment,” James shared.
Now, James is set to be among the first jumpers at Bridge Day 2024. She secured a tandem jump package last year, even while she was unable to participate. For her jump, she will be paired with an experienced BASE jumper.
“I feel so thankful and blessed to be doing this! My family and coworkers will be there to cheer me on. I hope I won’t scream and embarrass myself, but I am just too excited,” she said.
This will be James’s first experience with extreme sports; she has never been skydiving or attempted anything similar before. Bridge Day, scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2024, coincides perfectly with her birthday and the anniversary of her successful surgery, making it a fitting celebration of her achievements.
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