'Challenge Air' Gives Hope On Ground

(CBS)  Human flight never ceases to amaze. Maybe it's the physics, maybe it's the freedom, maybe it's the view.

Every few months, Theron Wright, a pilot, organizes volunteer pilots to take disabled kids for the ride of their lives - a half hour in the clouds -away from doctors, walkers, and wheelchairs, CBS News correspondent Lee Cowan reports.

It's called "Challenge Air".

"You just get that sigh of relief like, alright, this is where I need to be kind of thing," Wright says.

Jason Lauchner knows just what he means. He could use a little of that up-in-the-air feeling, since the ground isn't always so kind to him.

Jason has cerebral palsy and his legs are almost useless. He was born in Ukraine nine weeks premature. Then, he was abandoned. His adopted mother says his orphanage was so poor that they actually served porridge for dinner.

"When we brought him home at the age of 2, he did not know how to chew. He had all his teeth, but he did not know how to chew food," says Linda, Jason's mother.

Now, he bites off as much as he can chew, and sometimes more, all to make a point.

"Let's get this party started," Jason says, as he zooms around on his toy motorcycle. "You better move out of the way!"

Jason says he can do anything. Why? "Because I just do," he says. And he's bound to prove it, as he takes to the air as a "Challenge Air" participant.

"The magic is when you put them in that co-pilot seat, and you let them take the controls, and you challenge them to challenge themselves, say, 'look, you're flying this airplane, what can't you do?,'" Wright says.

And Wright knows this first-hand. He is paralyzed from the waist down. An extension bar allows him to control the rudder pedals with his hand. It's a full-throttle experience for anyone who wants to push themselves.

And Jason couldn't wait for the ride. Just minutes after takeoff, he was taking over, watching disabilities disappear, at 3,000 feet.

"He's doing a great job, he's a natural," Wright says, referring to Jason.

And what he could do up there, helps make life down here, that much better for Jason.

[wrighea]

Thank you, CBS, for spotlighting 'Challenge Air' with Theron Wright, my hero wheelchair aviator. This is such a worthy organization which needs help from any source monetarily--in particular, Corporate support. Families affected by one of these events can attest to the positive responses from the kids, whether disAbled or kids at risk. Volunteers also come away with a positive, awe-stricken feeling that is everlasting and heart warming. Challenged kids can't go to a fair and ride, but they can go into the air and touch a cloud. How exhilarating and healing!

[ggdec1969]

My son Tim had the opportunity to experience Challenge Air in Oklahoma City earlier this month. This is an amazing organization! I encourage everyone to check out their website, and it an event is in your area VOLUNTEER, at the very least donate and tell parents of children with special needs to register for an event in their area!
You can not understand the magnitude of the power of flight. Until you have experienced a Challenge Air event, personally!

[hellodog23]

Thank you to Katie Couric, The CBS Evening News, Lee Cowan;Correspondent, and all the great folks who helped make this segment possible.

The Challenge Air program is offered in select cities throughout the country. Please visit www.challengeair.org to pre-register for an event in your community as a child with special needs, volunteer, volunteer pilot or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities. "The sky's the limit!"

[finnergy]

A special thanks from our family to Theron, Byron, and the rest of the volunteers, and pilots at Challenge Air. My husband and I have a son with a brain tumor who has vision difficulties, and a son who is autistic. They, along with our other children have participated in many "Fly Day" events with Challenge Air. We are always warmly greeted at every event. Our kids are treated with special care and the individual attention that all children deserve, regardless of their disability. They've inspired so much in not only our kids, but in my husband and I as well. Thanks, Challenge Air! Best wishes for your continued success!
The Finlinson Family

[catchafrog]

My 15 year old son and I volunteered at the 2005 Challenge Air at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, CA. All "flyers" and participants had a blast and were so appreciative of the efforts and scheduled events of the day--not the least of which was the flying. We've calendered to volunteer at Challenge Air on Nov 11, 2006, again at Gillespie Field. --Thank You to the pilots, as well a to the sponsors and the entertainment people (clowns, musicians, arts and crafts, etc) who volunteer on the ground to keep flyers and families busy during the holding time.

[peacelover7]

It is wonderful to see that there are still people who care about the children of the world. Someone who is not so caught up in himself and sees the needs of others. God Bless you Theron Wright!

[lunicorn]

Take Flight for Kids, an event inspired in part by Challenge Air, takes place September 30th in Hayward, California.

http://www.takeflightforkids.org/

[lizzy66-2009]

Great story!! That Theron Wright is a hero to many kids!