Valerian as a recipe for a long life? Not for Manette Baillie. The British woman relies on adrenaline in her old age.
A parachute jump for a birthday is no longer a particularly unusual gift. But for a 102-year-old it is – and Manette Baillie even gave herself the adventure as a gift. With a tandem jump from a height of around 2,130 meters, the senior citizen from the eastern English county of Suffolk is now the oldest British parachutist, as the BBC reported.
“It was a bit scary,” the adventurous lady told the broadcaster afterwards. “I admit that I had my eyes closed really tight.” Baillie wants to inspire other older people with the jump from a great height. “I just want other people who are approaching 80 or 90 not to give up. Just keep going,” she said.
A Ferrari ride for the 100th birthday
Adrenaline is not a new experience for Baillie as she gets older. For her 100th birthday, she drove a Ferrari around the Formula 1 circuit in Silverstone, England.
She has no idea where her adventurous attitude comes from, said the sprightly pensioner. “I’ve been so lucky to be fit and healthy that I have to do something with it, that’s the real reason.” She wants to make use of the time. “Other people are paralyzed by arthritis and I’m not.”
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
