This Brooklyn great-grandmother took a leap of faith against doctors’ orders — and had the thrill of a lifetime.
Carolyn Meiselbach, 79, of Carroll Gardens, recently skydived 13,500 feet out of an airplane in upstate New York against the advice of three physicians concerned over her long list of ailments.
“I’ve had six strokes; I’ve beat cancer twice, and I’ve got osteoporosis, arthritis and diabetes,” said the feisty 5’4” Meiselbach. “I served six years in the U.S. Navy, and I raised my two sons as a single mother.
“I figured if I could survive all that, letting someone push me from an airplane would be a piece of cake.”
Meiselbach jumped April 24 at Skydive Ranch in Gardiner, NY, harnessed to a 60-year-old instructor. The only injury she suffered was a chest bruise after the harness of the parachute rubbed against her pacemaker.
“I took a class in sky-diving when I was young and healthy, but the jump never transpired,” said Meiselbach, “Now I finally saw a second chance, so I went for it.”
She said she loved the thrill so much that she plans go back and jump with 10 friends for her 80th birthday in October.
Prior to the jump, Meiselbach’s said her greatest thrill is regularly celebrating Mother’s Day by driving through Brooklyn on the back of one of her son’s motorcycle. She has two sons, six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.