Start Up into The Skies, Part 2

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However, disabled people are confronted with complications made by public authorities. An experience Petra Kreutz made: "Whoever can do paragliding is not in the need for care." That was the opinion of the medical service responsible for deciding on care grades. The person responsible had watched a report about Petra Kreutz on German television. But when the official met up with the woman he witnessed the reality: four strong men were required in order to help Petra Kreutz to get to and from the paraglider. "We often are forced by society to stay inactive," she thinks. But Petra Kreutz has successfully proven the opposite.

Beyond the skies - with an engine

Michael Amtmann is another person with a longing for heights. He founded a movement called "Wheelflyers". He takes off into the air with an airplane just about every weekend. Most important to him are the weather conditions. He only takes off when the weather is nice because he wants to have a good sight on everything - even at nicht. He is also a big fan for flying in winter. "That truly is an experience. Especially since the plane functions better in cold air." The wheelchair user bought the small plane together with four other pilots. His passion certainly belongs to the rather costly ones.

 
The plane does not necessarily be made
out of paper; © Pixelquelle.de

Something that is not important for paragliding is one of the most difficult obstacles for those that want to steer engine powered planes: the certificate of fitness. A specially trained physician needs to certify sufficient health and body functions. In order to avoid problems and disappointment, those interested should not invest money before they are sure where and how to enjoy this sport ideally.

Falling back to earth

Karl Stückle und Eckard Kirsch also need an engine when they take off. "Without the wheelchair but with you personal companion", explains Stückle. With an airplane the two quadriplegic men get up as high as 4000 meter in order to fall back towards earth. "A truly breathtaking experience," Kirsch thinks of his experinece making a free fall with a speed of about 240 km/h. "When arrived on earth I would have liked to fly again straight away."

Author: Jan-Henrik Schultz
Translation into English: REHACARE.de
© Paraplegiker


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