The Sky is Not the Limit: Best Friends with Rare Disease and Bucket List Go Skydiving

Susan Giftos and Hillary Rees are dreamers and doers. Over the course of a few years this has helped them become the best of friends.

“As long as I’m friends with Susan we’re going to be doing something new every time you turn around – every time we have the chance. We want to do big things and reach a lot of people,” says Hillary.

Susan and Hillary both have a rare neuromuscular disease called Charcot Marie Tooth — making walking and mobility difficult. This disease has given each of them their own challenges, whether that be in a wheelchair or homebound for 8 years. They worked through these difficulties together.

Their adventures started with adaptive skiing at Caberfae Peaks in Cadillac. They wanted to push themselves out of their comfort zones and try something new. This is where the idea of a bucket list came together.

Today, they are taking it to the next level. They are jumping out of a plane– Skydiving.