90-year-old zipliner inspires 82-year-old to overcome life-long fear of heights

If we can find pleasure in facing our fears, Toni says, we just may discover a whole new world of possibilities.

As Toni Garrett takes tentative steps towards the start of the zip line, the 82-year-old is filled with fear.

“I’m afraid of heights,” Toni admits.

It’s a life-long fear that’s hindered Toni from experiencing the sorts of things that made others so happy.

“When my family went to Paris, I’m the one who stayed on the ground while the rest of them climbed the Eiffel Tower,” Toni laughs.

And Toni has never forgotten how it felt knowing her children were posing up there, while she was waiting alone down here.

“I thought If I don’t [confront the fear] now,” Toni says, “I’m never going to do it.”

So when she read about her retirement residence’s upcoming trip to Adrenaline Zipline, and saw pictures from last year’s excursion featuring 90-year-old Colleen Goossen, Toni was inspired.