In Colorado, the thrill of adventure is a major draw for many. From rafting to skydiving, people flock to the state in search of adrenaline-pumping activities. But for Laura Kelley, the idea of jumping out of a plane thousands of feet above the Earth has been on her list since she was just five or six years old.
Growing up in Arkansas, Kelley had always been an adventurer at heart. When she moved to Colorado 18 years ago, she was drawn to the state’s wide range of outdoor activities. However, in 2020, her active lifestyle came to a halt when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The diagnosis left her feeling frustrated and helpless as she struggled with mobility issues and was unable to do many of the things she loved.
Determined to regain her mobility and live life to its fullest extent, Kelley knew that once she was able, she would go all out to experience the thrill of adventure. For her, doing an adventurous high-risk thing can be a way to not feel like life is out of control and not have control over it. She explains that sometimes people can become addicted to seeking out more dangerous mindsets when they don’t have control over other things in their lives.
Emily Hemendinger, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus emphasizes that it’s important for individuals