Jonny Fox is a brave artist, and a passionate adventurer in paragliding. Following a serious crash that left him with a broken lower spine, he’s beginning his journey back to health. In September 2023, Fox was racing in the British Paragliding Championships over the northern Spanish region of Cantabria when he hit unexpected extreme turbulence. He described the moment as thrilling yet terrifying, saying, “I was enjoying flying with the birds, then all of a sudden I experienced the most violent air I’ve ever been in.” The soul of an adventurer He had a blast in the beginning, but when his paraglider collapsed mid-air, he realized he was in trouble.
Fox fell through the treetops, but the branches merely cushioned his impact at his new high speeds. He then fell a shocking 15 meters (49 feet) to the floor. This injury was life-threatening, with a piece of bone driven into his spinal canal. After an unknown amount of time, Spain’s Guardia Civil mountain rescue team airlifted him from the heavily wooded area. This heroic rescue was enough to mesmerize viewers on Spanish television.
During his recovery in the hospital, Fox found himself drawn to music. Through Further Beyond’s music industry mentors, he was introduced to the practice of listening to music in the morning by professional Brighton artist Tony Parsons. “Tony has been an amazing support and mentor,” Fox remarked. He could only listen to the same two albums every morning: Elbow Live at Jodrell Bank and a Paul Simon album. He mentioned that every time Elbow performed “One Day Like This,” it made him cry. “I think he has an emotional connection with that song. It has been a gift in so many ways and made me realise how precious life is,” he added.
After his crash, Fox experienced a long period of waiting for NHS physiotherapy. During this process, he was nourished with wisdom and encouragement by many friends, colleagues, and the close-knit world of paragliding. They were always there to support him with answers and encouragement as he accepted and pursued his new journey toward recovery.
Beyond melodies and rhythms, painting became the most important creative vent to Fox’s overall healing journey. He expressed that “painting has just opened up everything again” after the traumatic event. His most recent exhibition, which he calls “Back Story,” emphasizes his fierce pursuit of new-production, beautiful landscape oil paintings. These works of art have played a large role in his rehabilitation path.
Fox was contemplative, talking about his accident and the change it sparked in him. “I heard a saying that we’ve all got two lives, and our second life starts when we realise we’ve actually only got one,” he said. This feeling hits home with him, as he moves through each day with a new appreciation.
The RAF have given amazing support through his rehabilitation. They gave him the structure of critical work leave and re-entry support. This support has carried him through the recovery process as he continues to express his artistic passion.
Fox’s experience has a devastating but powerful and vital story to tell of resilience. It challenges us, reminding us that creativity is essential to our healing. He loved the chance to escape into nature while painting. He mentioned, “We’re taking that view through the windshield and then onto the trail, where all of a sudden, I don’t look like a freak with a camera…”
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