After 30 years and 250 jumps, it wasn’t easy for Jesse Bennett to accept that he would no longer be able to go skydiving. “I realized my legs weren’t coordinating the way I wanted them to,” he says, remembering one of his first clues that something may be wrong.  Even then, it took a few close calls while driving and a bad experience in a flight simulator before he decided to be evaluated by a neurologist.  At 70, Jesse was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare Parkinson’s-like neurological disorder that affects eye movement, control of gait and balance.  An airline pilot turned flight instructor, who jumped out of planes in his spare time and ran five miles a day, Jesse was not accustomed to inactivity.  But obeying doctor’s orders meant retiring from aviation, for both work and play. 

Try as he did to cope, in the fall of 2008, both Jesse and his wife of 51 years, Joyce, went under hospice care.  Joyce lost her battle with lung cancer and passed shortly thereafter. “It turned out to be bad, but they took her through that with a minimum of pain,” he recalls.  Prior to her passing, Joyce was able to meet her first great-granddaughter and to reconcile with old friends and with her faith, much to Jesse’s relief.  “It was amazing…it was great that she could make peace with all of that.”  

In the spring of 2009, Jesse moved from his initial hospice provider to the care of Hospice Savannah, a United Way supported non-profit organization that helps patients and families cope with the issues that arise when dealing with life-limiting illnesses.  Anna Bennett, Jesse’s daughter and primary caregiver, explains the difference, “I called them and they took care of everything and have been absolutely wonderful…they have truly enriched his life.  For that, I will always be grateful.”

Jesse, too, is passionate about what Hospice Savannah has meant to him, “(It’s) a godsend…I knew a lot of nurses, but they’re a different breed.”  In place of skydiving, teaching and running, he has taken up jam sessions with his music therapist, painting and spending time talking with his nurse, Kathy Lewis. “She is always so up and friendly…if you need anything, she’s going to get it for you if she can,” he smiles.

Four children, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a marriage that lasted more than half a century, at 73 Jesse Bennett has plenty to reflect upon; “I’ve lived all of it…I’ve lived every minute of it and given the chance, I wouldn’t change a thing.”  Watching video clips of his past skydiving expeditions, Jesse beams while pointing out the members of his family, some flying through the air with him, others cheering him from the ground.  In that moment, as clear as the blue sky he sails, you can see what has brought the most excitement to his adventurous life; and if you ask Jesse the secret to his long and happy marriage, he’ll tell you it’s simply about conflict resolution. “Sometimes it’s just easier to give in and go get a steak somewhere.”

Hospice Savannah is a non-profit organization offering end-of-life care services to anyone regardless of diagnosis, age, race, religion or ability to pay.  For more information, call 912.355.2289.

United Way of the Coastal Empire is a proud supporter of this program.  For information about how you can support programs such as this call, 912.651.7700 and thank you for helping your community to LIVE UNITED.