Stories

"Thank you for the feeling of freedom."

Seven flights. Seven lives. In their own words, the people who've flown with us.

Olesia Kornienko

Cerebral Palsy

First-ever paragliding flight on August 2, 2024, near Agassiz, BC. Olesia learned about Adaptive Airtime through a paraplegic forum.

Originally from Poland, Olesia spent ten years attending adaptive mountaineering camps before moving to Vancouver. There she watched eagles soaring above the city and fell in love with their majestic flight — but paragliding was too expensive to pursue, and her physical condition kept deteriorating.

"As we took off, I suddenly felt the pain in my body almost disappear. I eagerly gulped in the air, and I couldn't stop laughing. I completely forgot about my wheelchair. The wind whistled in my ears. I was free. Free even from pain."

Caleb Brousseau

Quadriplegic Athlete · Paralympic Medallist

Caleb has survived two spinal cord injuries — T12 at age 18 from snowboarding, and a second C5 injury at 32 from an adaptive mountain bike crash. A Paralympic silver and bronze medallist in alpine skiing, he discovered Adaptive Airtime in 2023.

Through patient ground-handling lessons and calm radio guidance during flights, the team gave Caleb the confidence to take off, navigate the skies, and land safely on his own — rediscovering an independence he thought he had lost forever.

"Adaptive Airtime has given me the greatest gift: the ability to reconnect with the world around me, rediscover my strength, and dream without limits."

Watch Caleb's story on YouTube

Landon McGauley

Quadriplegic Athlete

Two spinal cord injuries — paraplegic at 15 in a downhill mountain bike race, quadriplegic at 28 in a second cycling crash. A friend invited him to an adaptive flying event in Chilliwack in July 2024.

Since that first flight Landon has been completely hooked. He spent a week fine-tuning his flying skills in Utah, then a full month flying nearly every day in Colombia — soaring 2,000 metres above an entirely new country.

"Not long ago, I felt lost. And there I was, high above a completely new country, filled with life and freedom, excited about days to come."

Kayla Walker

Age 14 · Rett Syndrome

Kayla's first tandem flight came after months of dreaming about it. Her mother describes how she now shows the photos and videos to anyone who'll watch.

In Kayla's own handwritten storyboard about the day: "Other people showed up to watch me get ready and launch. When we finally launched I felt crazy and nervous. I was so happy in the air! I was laughing a lot. The whole experience was weird in a good way."

"I thought it was so beautiful. I wanted to stay in the sky forever."

Aven Elsberg

Age 19 · Complete C5 Spinal Injury

Aven landed wrong in an August 2023 mountain biking crash and sustained a C5 complete spinal cord injury. He had loved to fly on skis and on his bike, and was planning on becoming a commercial pilot.

In Aven's words: "Flying with Adaptive Airtime was an amazing experience — paragliding was a sport I'd been wanting to try for a long time. When we arrived, everyone was super nice and very knowledgeable. After a short drive we were on the launch site, looking down at the valley. I could not wait to fly."

"Realizing this is a sport Aven could pursue independently as a pilot, with some ground assistance but fully independent in the air, makes this introduction even more special. Outside, in the air, like he has always been. — Andy Elsberg, Aven's dad"

Mr. Walter Martens

104th Birthday Flight

A 104th birthday flight — and what would turn out to be the last great adventure of a long, beautiful life. Mr. Martens has since passed, and we are grateful to have played a small part in his final birthday.

In the words of his family: "Impressive and very professional crew, gorgeous location, and of course my father was thrilled with the flight. — Harv Martens, son"

"What an amazing experience for my Dad! Thank you so much for making it so special. Your care and expertise were so appreciated. Blessings to you and the other volunteers. — Eleanor Penner, daughter"

Watch Mr. Martens' flight on YouTube

Angie Meyers

Cerebral Palsy

First paragliding flight on August 4, 2024 — flown free of charge.

From above, Angie watched Hector — the resident eagle every Adaptive Airtime pilot knows by name — soaring with her in the sky. She also flew with another tandem pilot in the air alongside them, feeling everyone connected to nature together.

"Although I thought paragliding would frighten me, I felt very safe because of everyone's knowledge and support. The whole experience was accessible — for which I'm very grateful — not only with the equipment but also by having it for free."

YouTube

Help us write the next story

We're building a book of these stories — every one made possible by people who give their time, money, or voice to the mission.

Get involved