Jo Spencer, 55, faces the aftermath of a life-changing health condition and raises £25,000 for crucial home adaptations through daring skydive.
Jo Spencer, a 55-year-old from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has become a symbol of resilience after losing both her legs due to a rare and severe blood clot. In a bid to regain her independence, she took part in a tandem skydive, raising £25,000 for necessary home renovations.
In May 2020, Jo was in good health when she noticed the toes on her left foot turning black and blue. After consulting her doctors, she quickly realised the severity of the situation. “I just knew from the moment I saw my foot, I was going to lose it,” she shared. Her fears were confirmed when doctors amputated her left leg below the knee. But the ordeal didn’t end there.
Just hours after the surgery, Jo began feeling excruciating pain in her right leg, and the situation soon escalated. “I thought it was just sciatica,” she recalled, “but my right leg was going cold, and I lost my pulse.” Surgeons rushed her back to the operating theatre, but despite their efforts, the condition of her right leg worsened, forcing them to amputate it as well.
“The whole experience was a blur due to pain medication,” Jo explained. “When I woke up, I had no idea what had happened. It was only when I saw my husband that I understood the full extent of it.”
Following the amputations, Jo and her husband David, 54, began fundraising to help make essential modifications to their home. Jo’s goal was simple: to create a living space where she could live independently and safely. Since then, the couple has raised £25,000, but further fundraising efforts are still ongoing to complete the renovations, which are expected to cost £140,000.
“I have to be carried up the stairs to bed every night,” Jo said, highlighting the urgency of the renovation work. “These changes are vital for my independence, so I can do things like everyone else without needing help.”
As part of her journey to regain her independence, Jo decided to take on a tandem skydive. She had always wanted to skydive, and with her son Ben planning his own jump for his 21st birthday, Jo decided to do it too and raise funds for her home project. After securing approval from a medical examiner (despite initial refusal from her GP), Jo jumped out of a plane at 15,000 feet on November 12, 2022.
“I was terrified at first,” Jo admitted, “but when the plane door opened, I knew I had to do it.” The thrill of the jump was indescribable. “We were falling at 120mph, and it was just incredible,” she said. “When the parachute deployed, everything calmed down, and it was so peaceful. Floating in the air was an amazing feeling.”
Jo’s journey has not stopped with skydiving. She’s also taken up scuba diving, conquering her fear of sharks and the underwater world. “I’ve always loved swimming, but the thought of sharks terrified me. Now I’m thinking about pursuing my PADI open water qualification,” she said.
The family’s fundraising efforts are far from over, with renovations scheduled to begin in January 2023. Jo remains optimistic despite the challenges, grateful for the support they’ve received so far. “We’ve come a long way, and the support has been overwhelming,” she said. “In the end, it’s all about having a home where I can be independent again.”
