Special Olympics event leaves reporter just a bit anxious

Rappels off the Jefferson Building

October 29, 2011 at 5:02 a.m. | Updated October 29, 2011 at 5:02 a.m.

The News Tribune's Angie Hutschreider prepares to launch from the rooftop as she rappels the side of the Jefferson Building in downtown Jefferson City. Today, more than 50 people are expected to rappel from above the 14th floor as they raise money for Special Olympics Missouri.
The News Tribune's Angie Hutschreider prepares to launch from the rooftop as she rappels the side of the Jefferson Building in downtown Jefferson City. Today, more than 50 people are expected to rappel from above the 14th floor as they raise money for Special Olympics Missouri.

I went "Over the Edge." Today, 53 others will do the same, all to support Special Olympics of Missouri.

I have never really been up high enough to say if I have a fear of heights, and I never really got nervous about the prospect of rappelling 13 stories down the side of the Jefferson Building in downtown Jefferson City - until I was being geared up in safety equipment.

With others in my time slot watching, I was the first to stand on the edge of the building two stories up for a practice rappel. This was my "test" run; my legs were shaking badly, and I told the safety instructor that I would not be able to do this from 13 stories. He laughed and kindly encouraged me to take a step, and I was off.

Stepping off the ledge from atop the 13th story was no less nerve-wracking than it was minutes before when I did the "training" rappel.

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