'How painting helped me heal after 5,000ft fall'

Jonny Fox, a paragliding instructor from Brighton, has recently opened an art exhibition titled 'Back Story' at The Crypt Gallery in Seaford. This exhibition features his landscape paintings, which he describes as a 'love letter to being alive. ' Jonny's journey into painting began after a life-changing accident where he fell from a height of 1,500 meters, or 5,000 feet, while competing in the British Paragliding Championships in September 2023. The experience was terrifying, but it also led him to discover the healing power of art. Jonny explained that after his accident, his world became very small. He could only think about the next few minutes, and painting helped him to open up his mind and spirit again. He shared, 'After my accident, my world shrank immeasurably. My thoughts were not more than five minutes into the future, and painting has just opened up everything again to me. ' This statement highlights how important painting has been for his recovery. The accident occurred while Jonny was paragliding in northern Spain. He encountered severe turbulence that caused his paraglider to collapse, sending him into a rapid spiral dive. He deployed his reserve parachute, but it was not enough to prevent a crash. Jonny fell through trees, which only slightly cushioned his fall, and ultimately landed hard on the ground, fracturing his lower spine and injuring his spinal canal. Despite the pain and fear, he managed to communicate with other pilots who were searching for him. He was rescued by the Guardia Civil mountain rescue team, and the dramatic rescue was even captured on Spanish television. During his recovery in the hospital, music played a significant role in helping him cope with the trauma. Jonny listened to the same two albums every morning, and one song in particular, 'One Day Like This' by Elbow, would bring him to tears. He remarked, 'It was better than any of the painkiller drugs they were giving me. ' After returning to the UK, Jonny faced a long wait for physiotherapy. However, he received tremendous support from friends, colleagues, and the close-knit paragliding community. They provided him with advice and encouragement, and he explored various therapies, including yoga, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy, which he found to be transformative. The Charity for Civil Servants also assisted him by funding counseling sessions to help him deal with post-traumatic stress. Jonny expressed gratitude for the support he received from the RAF, which allowed him time off for rehabilitation and helped him return to work. However, it was his passion for landscape painting that truly gave him a renewed sense of purpose. He was introduced to painting by professional artist Tony Parsons, who became a mentor and source of encouragement for him. Eighteen months after his accident, Jonny can now stand for up to an hour to paint the beautiful landscapes he loves. He enjoys the opportunity to observe nature without feeling judged. Jonny reflected on the positive aspects of his accident, stating, 'There have been so many silver linings to my accident, although I wouldn't want to put my friends and family through it again, of course. ' He shared a thought that resonated with him: 'We've all got two lives, and our second life starts when we realize we've actually only got one. ' This experience has been a gift in many ways, making him appreciate the preciousness of life. His exhibition, 'Back Story,' will be on display until Sunday, April 20, and it showcases not only his artistic talent but also his incredible journey of healing and resilience.