Man With Cerebral Palsy Has Skydiving Dreams Come True

We are always taught to reach for the stars when it comes to our dreams, and it may take one twist of fate to make them happen.

For 32-year-old Elite Security officer Alex Djordjevic, he had the dream of skydiving since he was 18 years old. He knew it would be a challenge because Djordjevic has cerebral palsy. Though he is mostly confined to a wheelchair, he wanted to find a way to make it happen.

As fate would have it, Djordjevic crossed paths with Rural/Metro event manager John Reisdorfer while he was working security at a San Diego Padres game, and Reisdorfer was managing the Padres medical stand-by event crews.

“We had known one another for years, and only recently did I learn about Alex’s wish to go skydiving,” said Reisdorfer, who is an avid skydiver. “As soon as I heard what he wanted to do, I knew I was going to do everything I could to help make it happen.”

Reisdorfer immediately got in contact with his friends in the skydiving world to facilitate the jump and make certain Djordjevic received the red carpet treatment throughout his experience. Reisdorfer also connected with Padres nurse and La Mesa resident Maude DeKlerk, so that she could attend the jump to involve the Padres organization, and ensure Djordjevic would have medical assistance at-the-ready.

“Alex is a very healthy and independent guy, and I was happy to partake in skydiving with him as a nurse and as his friend,” said DeKlerk. “I have never seen anyone so excited and happy, and the enthusiasm was infectious.”

A number of individuals were involved in the process to help Djordjevic with the skydive, and they were all thrilled to help.

“This was one of the most gratifying moments in my life that I will always remember and cherish,” said Reisdorfer. “For that one minute of free fall out of the airplane, Alex was as physically equal as any man, and I am so happy to have been able to be a part of that for that very special young man.”

Djordjevic was ecstatic about the experience, and hopes to make it a hobby that he continues to pursue for the rest of his life.

“It was an absolute life dream come true for me,” said Djordjevic. “For that moment of free fall, it was pure freedom, and I cannot wait to do it again.”

Reisdorfer has about 250 jumps under his belt, and is currently focusing on the wingsuit discipline. He has been a Rural/Metro employee since 1999.