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Experiencing
the world from a new and higher perspective is what Dreams and Wings is all about for special needs children in Michigan
and the Great Lakes Region. At
a Dreams and Wings Fly Day event our special
kids stretch old limits and explore new horizons. With
the roar of the engine and whoosh of the wind, they learn
that even the sky need not be a limit when we have the
courage to dream.
Seated beside an experienced
pilot in a light airplane, each child and at least one
family member and/or friend will gently escape gravity
and soar with the clouds to take a bird’s eye view of
the beautiful Great Lakes contryside.At a cruising altitude
of 1500 feet, an otherwise routine flight in a regular
plane becomes
a once in a lifetime experience for hundreds of special
needs children each year.
Dreams and Wings gives
these special needs children an opportunity to glimpse
new horizons, to challenge
themselves to lift their imaginations and to venture
where the gulf between reality and fantasy and back again
is wondrously achieved through aviation.This unique form of recreational and
educational therapy elevates the soul to realize that
the human spirit can prevail over any obstacle.
A Dreams and Wings Fly
Day includes a short ground school where the children learn
about airplanes and how they fly, refreshments and
a host of fun and educational activities and displays designed
to introduce the children and their families to new and unique
equipment, services, opportunities and experiences.In addition to the 20 minute airplane
ride, each special needs child receives a Dreams and Wings
T-shirt, a set of gold aviator wings and a flight certificate
commemorating his or her achievement.
Dreams
and Wings, Inc. is a not for profit corporation with
a valid IRS 501 (c) (3) status.The
program is offered completely free of charge to all participants
and is underwritten by corporate, philanthropic and individual
donations.
When kids with a disABILITY
or special needs go flying, take the controls of an airplane
and soar high above their problems and worries, they
soon realize that “they can do anything.” The courage and the opportunity to DREAM
is the key to unlocking unrealized potential.
The organizers, with the
loving help of dozens of volunteer pilots and ground support
personnel, have been providing these unique opportunities
to the special needs children in thirteen locations across
Michigan and the Great Lakes Region for over 10 years.
These Fly Days have touched the lives of over 2000 children
and family members making once
in a life time memories that will be shared and re-shared
for decades.
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