SPARTANBURG — The scariest part was walking back to the edge of Denny’s, a 16-story building, stretching out my arms and leaning over the edge into the air.

The people 50 meters below did not look like ants.

They looked smaller.

It was better not to look down. From my vantage point overhead Denny’s headquarters downtownI could see for miles. But when I climbed the stairs to buckle up, I wasn’t focusing on the horizon.

I focused on the team giving me direction and remembering what to do with my hands. I put all my trust in the harness, the ropes, and the security team that stood between me and a nightmare.

This wasn’t something planned very far in advance. four days ago, Spartanburg Editor Matthew Hensley He sent me an email about: Beyond the Border fundraiser for Cancer Society of Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties.

Over The Edge organizes urban rappelling events that are popular as team-building exercises and fundraisers for nonprofit organizations such as the local Cancer Society, which provides quality of life services to area cancer patients.

The nonprofit helps local cancer patients with daily needs such as nutritional supplements, medication costs, ostomy and home care supplies, clothing, breast implants, wigs, hats and transportation.

People who wanted to participate in this fundraiser were asked to raise $1,000. On November 1, 54 people rappelled from the Denny’s building and raised $96,000. Media was also invited to try.

When I was little, I was afraid of heights. Over the years, I gradually eliminated my fear, first by climbing small mountains and other exposed places. steep descent roads and later by tackling aerial rope courses. But 16 floors up? This was new.

The rope courses at the top of the tree provided some confidence in the harness system. My logical brain knew I wasn’t going to die. Constantly yelling “STOP!” I had to convince my ancient brain that was screaming.

When I arrived at Denny’s headquarters, the building looked much taller than I had imagined. Of course I see it every day. But I never stood at the base and looked up.

Ahh!

I went in and signed a waiver. Then they took me and the others upstairs by elevator.

When I entered the meeting room, which was also used as a preparation room, I realized for the first time how high we really were. My ancient brain started chattering again. I tried to push these negative thoughts out of my mind and watched the group before donning the harness and heading out.

If they could do it, so could I, right? After all, danger is simulated. The event itself is incredibly safe. Some of the “borderlines” had overcome cancer. This would be easy compared to this.

Outside on the ledge, we made last-minute harness adjustments and learned how to lower ourselves using a lever.

I climbed a ladder, sat on the edge of the building, and the crew let me in. When my legs felt wobbly, I stood up and leaned back. The crew told me to extend my arms while bending over, and I did so.

At this point, my ancient brain was in complete dizziness. But as I stretched, the harness held and my mind began to calm.

I slowly walked myself down the edge until I was suspended in the air. The hard part was over. Now all I had to do was slowly lower myself down and stop every few floors to wave at people taking photos from the windows below me.

By the time I reached the bottom, my ancient brain had completely separated.

Now a new thought came into play: When can I do this again?

To donate to the Cancer Society of Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties, click here.