Cora Clearwater, 79

Meet Cora Clearwater

For as long as she can remember, Cora has been drawn to open spaces.

Growing up in Northern Ontario surrounded by forests, lakes, star-filled skies, and endless horizons, she spent her childhood swimming, picking blueberries, cross-country skiing, and wondering what it would feel like to soar above it all.

Cora’s journey through life has been one of incredible resilience. Raised by a mother who arrived in Canada as a war bride carrying stories of strength and survival, Cora learned early that life could be challenging, but also that she had the ability to overcome.

After becoming a mother, Cora made the courageous decision to start over and build a new future for herself and her children. She returned to school, dedicated her life to helping others, and spent 35 years as a psychotherapist, including two decades supporting people experiencing homelessness with compassion, dignity, and hope.

Her passion for learning never faded. At 63 years old, Cora returned to university, earning a Bachelor of Arts with Honors. So when Cora applied for a wish with We Are Young, there was one experience she desired more than anything: skydiving.

“The sky is one of the open spaces I could never experience outside of an aircraft,” she shared. “It’s outside my comfort zone and scares me, but anything that scares me is worth trying.”

The day after celebrating her 79th birthday, Cora climbed into an airplane, took a deep breath, and stepped into the open sky she had dreamed about since childhood.

Her wish was about so much more than the adventure itself. It was about courage, curiosity, and the belief that new experiences and new beginnings are always possible.

After her skydive, Cora shared: “My life has changed. I’m excited for more changes.”

Special Thanks: Skydive Toronto