Stories

ADAM GALLAGHER

Hi my name is Adam Gallagher I am a 29 paraplegic from Brisbane. I had an accident skydiving in June 2004 which crushed my L1 and T 12 vertebrae. I had an operation 2 days later involving lamination of my spine.

I was in the spinal unit for just over 3 ½ Months and received lots of treatment afterwards with hydro therapy, physio etc. In February 2006 I had further surgery to give extra support to spine and had another long hospital stay with recovery as well.

I have completed my certificate in Workplace Training and Assessment in the last 2 months allowing me to have the ability to become a Tafe teacher now and other endless possibilities. I am a fully qualified Baker / Pastry cook and have worked in hospitality most of my life and am looking forward to returning to this field of work soon.

I've been active in the spinal injuries community in the last 12 months and was introduced to Stephen Byrne in April 2006. I was interested in learning to fly as my love of altitude with the skydiving no longer an option was now awakened again. I was interested in the aspect in flying and had been previously told by others you wont be able to with my disability. After conversing with Steve I found out this was not the case and my willingness to fly was increased.

The most exciting aspect of meeting Steve was his disability is similar to mine and it showed my that is possible to fly with Hand controls for you rudder pedals. It proved to me that there are people out there with a positive attitude as well with the willingness to never give in no matter what challenges we face in our daily routines.

I would strongly recommend to anybody interested in flying to go for it and go with your instinct there's so much scope to explore and “ Sky’s Far from The Limit “

ANNE-MARIE

Hi, my name is Anne-Marie. I am a 33 year old who lives in Sydney. I had a motorcycling accident in July 2005, which resulted in a spinal cord injury at T7 (lower chest height). I underwent surgery to install 2 titanium rods to support my spine, and spent 5 months in hospital and rehabilitation. At the time of my accident, I was completely paralysed below the injury. Since then, I have recovered significant use of my right side, and some very limited use of the left. This means that I can walk with crutches for limited distances, but more often use a wheelchair.

Prior to the accident, my pastimes included a number of physically demanding activities, such as skydiving, cycling, rock climbing, trapeze and windsurfing. After leaving rehab, and once I had recovered enough strength to cope with simple day-to-day activities (working, shopping, cooking, etc.), I started looking for alternative pursuits.

Wheelies with Wings (WWW) offers a 2-week scholarship program to teach people with lower limb disabilities how to fly. I applied for and was accepted into the course, which includes 15 hours of flying and the associated ground training. This training is logged and contributes towards the General Flying Progress Test (GFPT).

The WWW program currently uses the Para Pilots modified aircraft, and an instructor from Brindabella Airlines. Our instructor was experienced in training pilots with disabilitiThe flying was the most fun I’ve had in years. I would encourage anyone who was interested to give it a go - why put off to tomorrow what you can do today?

MICK HAY

I have always wanted to be a pilot. In 1983 I was given an introductory flying lesson as a birthday present. I loved the experience, however the cost was prohibitive, and I didn't continue.

The thought of becoming a pilot still kept gurgling away in the back of my mind. In October 1997 I became a Complete T6 paraplegic in an industrial accident. I was in hospital for nearly 12 months.

This was a very difficult time both for me and my wife and three young children. Upon arriving home again I was faced with finding new ways of doing even some of the very simplest of daily tasks. I of course had to completely give up all hope of ever doing so many of the activities that I previously enjoyed or dreamed of doing.

Imagine my delight when I found out about an organisation called "Wheelies With Wings". A charitable organisation that provides Scholarships for people with spinal cord injuries to learn to fly. I was fortunate enough to receive the gift of 2 weeks of flying lessons in Temora NSW. Not only was the cost of the flying lessons paid for but also my accommodation, meals and even travel expenses were covered.

Since receiving the scholarship I have continued with flying lessons in Canberra Thanks to both the generosity of Steve Byrne for providing a modified aircraft that I can hire for a reasonable rate and the excellent flying instructors at Brindabella Airlines.

The freedom I feel when flying is so wonderful. It not only shows me but also others just what some one with even a reasonably high level of paraplegia can achieve.

GIVING DISABLED KIDS THE CHANCE TO FLY

On Saturday August 9, 2008 I had the opportunity to attend what is called a "flyday". These flydays are put on by an organisation called Challenge Air and are held on a monthly basis in states all over the USA. The event I attended was in Aurora just south of Portland in Oregon. I had signed up as a volunteer several months before and this event was a big part of the reason I had come to the US in the first place. The bottom right hand photo shows me on the registration desk with Don. Nadina was also there although she is not pictured. I met some wonderful people working on that table.

The morning of the event it was overcast and as I drove to the airport the cloudbase was probably only 6-800 feet. It had been raining the night before and I was terrified that the Flyday would be cancelled because of the bad weather. I wouldn't get another chance to attend a flyday as the next one wasn't scheduled until September 6, long after I had returned to Australia. Thankfully the day went ahead as planned and it was one of the best things I have ever experienced. It is only rarely that a young child gets the opportunity to fly in a light aeroplane. It is even rarer for a disabled child to get that same chance. This organisation is incredible and all credit must go to the pilots who donate their time and their aircraft and to those who support them physically and financially.

MY STORY

I wasn't born a paraplegic, I became one. On June 8, 1985 at about two o'clock on a Saturday afternoon I cut a tree down into another one. I cut the second tree and as I was cutting the second tree the first tree came down hitting me across the shoulder and breaking my back as well four ribs. The broken ribs were the easy bit. The broken back was a different story. I haven't walked since....that was 23 years ago...half a lifetime ago...to be continued

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SHAD DAHLGREN

Shad has agreed to write a bit about himself so I can put his story up here. Another paraplegic pilot from Nebraska who I had the privilege to meet when I was over there....more soon.

THE FIRST TIME I FLEW SOLO

There is no experince in the world that comes close to describing the feeling of flying an aeroplane for the first time by yourself. It's even better than flying the plane in the first place. Flying gives you a third dimension and that is something that you can't get on the ground. You know when your first solo is coming. You can feel it coming. You know it is coming and you anticipate it. You know your instructor is just a whisker away from giving the aeroplane to you for your first venture into the air on your own. You can feel it in yourself. You know you are good enough to fly solo and you know that your instructor thinks the same. It is just a matter of time. And that time is almost upon you....I still the remember the day I took to the air by myself...September 30, 1997. It was a clear day, almost no cloud in the sky and only a light breeze. It was a perfect day for flying and I knew this would be the day......to be continued.

THE BASKET WEAVER

'The Basket Weaver' is the tentative title I have given to a book that I am writing. The name comes about because two people, one being a family member, suggested that when I had my accident I could work in a sheltered workshop doing among other things, basket weaving. To be told that I was only good enough for something like that nearly tore my heart out. At the time I was only newly injured and was struggling to come to terms with what had happened to me. My main thought concerning work was to try and go back to the only thing I knew...farming. In the immediate years after my accident that is exactly what I did. In hindsight from a purely economical point of view it was not the best decision. Making a living from the land can be difficult, almost impossible at times but add a wheelchair to the mix and everything becomes even harder. I don't regret those years because it helped me to come back into the world after losing so much. It made me realise that I could do what I wanted and that I was still the man I used to be, albeit a little different. I have moved away from the farm now and live in the city. Sometimes though, the country beckons. I miss it so much and I think that one day I will find myself back there again.

More soon about my book

GETTING CHALLENGE AIR OR A MODEL OF IT TO AUSTRALIA

I first heard of Challenge Air in the United Stateas about four years ago. Ever since I started learning to fly I have wanted to see something formed where the opportunity is readily available for disabled kids to have the opportunity to experience the joy of flight. Although the world is changing and society has become more aware of the needs of the disabled there are still many areas which need to be improved. One of the main reasons I put this site up in the first place is because the average person in the street still has no idea that a paraplegic can fly a plane. It is no one's fault in particular that this is the case but I want to see this change. It would be great that every flying school in the country was so up with disabled issues that when a paraplegic came in and asked to have flying lessons it would be second nature. Things would be no different for the paraplegic pilot than it would be for an able bodied pilot. The starting point for all this is to give disabled kids the opportunity to go flying in a light aeroplane......

'MY FIRST PLAYLUNCH MONEY'

Many people that I have met in life have a sense of humour. Some people don't, I grant that, but most do. Everyone of us can remember our first day at school. If we can't remember our first day we can remember the time when we started school. Along with our school days comes our memories of school days and in particular, our schoolyard days. One of my favourite memories is the school canteen and whilst most of my generation didn't have much money, when we did have a few cents we would buy something. I can vividly remembering buying a steaming hot sausage roll on a cold winter's day for 5 cents. Five cents, I can't believe how cheap it was or how long ago it was. My first days at school were February 1967 and I remember them like they were yesterday.

Along with our school days came our playlunch money. And gee how much could you buy with 10 or 15 cents if you had it? Growing up I remember a common expression used amongst adults was "He was so miserable that bloke, that he would still have his first playlunch money". TO BRING BACK THOSE MEMORIES AND TO MAYBE TAKE THE MICKEY OUT OF YOURSELF OR ONE OF YOUR MATES BE A PART OF THE VISION. IT TAKES MONEY TO FLY AND IT TAKES MONEY TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE DISABLED TO FLY. ON OFFER IS A LIMITED NUMBER OF THESE WONDERFUL FRAMES WITH A PRE DECIMAL COIN MEMENTO OF YOUR OR YOUR MATES 'PLAYLUNCH' MONEY. BE A PART OF AND HELP WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE BY BUYING ONE NOW. There is a limited run of 750 frames, each with their own numbered certificate. All profits from these frames will go to helping those that are disabled take to the air. The joy of flight is literally LIFECHANGING....$69.00 Each plus $12.90 P/H Australia Wide. International customers welcome. Credit Card, Direct Bank Deposit and PAYPAL available. ORDER THROUGH info@parapilots.com or PHONE 0400 771870 PHOTOS UP SOON