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.