I took to the skies
by Pat Crocker, Canada
(June 1994)
It was the summer of ‘62. I was 16 years old and stuck in a wheelchair in leg casts. I spent a great deal of time at the London Flying Club with all its open, ground -level space. So many kind folks took me flying that summer that I was infected with the flying virus. I decided I, too, could fly a plane. It did take me six months to pass the physical. I financed my whole ticket with my own savings. I was so focused on my goal, ignoring or tolerating all impediments, barriers and/or obstacles, that I did indeed succeed.
I hope I haven't trivialized the magnitude of the achievement for brevity's sake. I was not that visibly handicapped, having belabored all my life under the misdiagnosis of polio and then post-polio syndrome. I also don't mean to imply that anyone in a wheelchair can simply abandon said barriers if motivated sufficiently. Being realistic does not have to equate to defeat but rather to finding creative alternatives, i.e. a hand-controls airplane for pilots without leg use.
I more recently took up ultralight flying, having been a long-time conventional, fixed-wing pilot. Now that was a hoot, real back-to-the-seat-of-your-pants flying! I voluntarily retired myself when I noticed diminished strength of all four quads and increased fatigue. I do retain ‘uplifting' life memories and continued association with the Ninety-Nines, an international association of women pilots founded in 1929 with Amelia Earhart as first president. I still contribute by specializing in aerospace education.

It is my continued joy to share my knowledge and passion of aviation. I and other chapter members are in continual demand for careers presentations, science fairs (aviation category, of course), elementary school programs, a senior grade science lesson and primary grade Air Bear program and even Girl Guide aviation badge, plus speaking engagements and safety and aviation activities within the flying community. If this looks an exhaustive list, it can be sometimes and perhaps is the reason I, my Maple Leaf Chapter and my East Canada Section of the 99s all received international recognition in 1992. (It was the first time an individual was so honored but probably because of the sheer bulk of output and from an overachiever of which the international organization of 7,000 abounds let alone a rather physically encumbered 99. Most 99s are American though so our small numbers and spread-out section really wowed ‘em.)

That reminds me: why are physically challenged people who do achieve called overachievers?

I work full-time, am married, have a 25-year-old daughter and try to keep active with the 99s plus freelance write in my other spare time, if you can believe it. I have just relinquished driving my ol' Hyundai Pony in favor of taking Paratransit to work. It's actually a relief and has noticeably increased my comfort level. I feel confident that not driving need not be a deterrent to living fully,. For the last 99s chapter meeting, no less than three people offered me a ride; I took the one offering a flight to the meeting!
Because I thought I had had polio, I joined the March of Dimes Post-Polio chapter and am immediate past chapter president. I have attended two annual OMD meetings and gleaned a great deal of insight, camaraderie and perspective from those experiences.
I have an observation garnered from the CMT Newsletters to share with you. I feel many other CMT people also look for creative options and decline limitations or circumvent them by being positive, productive and hopeful. (e.g. I got myself a passport last fall so my daughter, a professional travel agent, can take me to England some time before I or the passport expire(s)!)