"ESP" - Extra Special Passengers
Throughout our travels, we meet many, many wonderful and interesting
people who truly make what we do most rewarding. We lovingly dedicate
this page to our "Extra Special Passengers." You touched our
hearts and we are so fortunate to have met you.
Dear Connie and Steve,
Hello, this is Billie Jean, I flew with you at the Harvest
Balloon Festival. I suppose on those days we shared with you, my daughter
Kayla and I seemed to be a little louder, a little more scared and way more
excited then many others. There is reason behind this and at this time I wish
to tell you why. On that day, I don’t think you know exactly how
special of a day you made for Kayla.
A little over a year ago Kayla was diagnosed with a life
threatening disease of the heart. A rare disease it is. To the point that
there is not a doctor who can be a specialist. As there are so very few cases
that survive past prenatal stage, Kayla is special. As you can see she shows
no signs or symptoms of living with such a illness, as Uhl's disease. Doctors
informed us that she had to stop doing so many things. Running, riding bikes
fast or swimming for long lengths of time. For me, I personally try to fulfill
any requests that she may develop to live life to the fullest.
I had to go through all of Kayla's doctors to get the permission
for her to go. Once cleared we sat her down to tell her. She was so excited.
I wrapped a disposable camera and a balloon festival news paper and gave this
to her. This was my way of telling her the great news. That she could fly.
She has been in a short helicopter ride but that is as far as flying has taken
her.
On that day, that wonderful Sunday that we flew with you,
you fulfilled her dream. In flight she said I cried I don’t think she
knew how happy I was to see her up there experiencing such a wonderful moment
in her life.
Later that day as we watched our videos, there was a moment
after flight, in the field Kayla had the camera to herself. She was filming.
As she filmed she talked and I want you to know that her words were filled
with things like this was the greatest day of her life.
Under the circumstances I’ve always called Kayla my
Lil angel. On that day you gave my angel wings. I want to thank you for that.
With all the love and thanks.
The Kelly Family, Billie Jean, Kayla, Ryan, and Carol (Mimi-
the one who gave up her ticket so that Kayla could go).
We met a most wonderful man, Michael Burton, his wife and
sister, in Lexington, Virginia in July, 2003, and took them for their first
flight. We launched from the Virginia Military Institute. Michael
unfortunately had lost his sight, but his sense and interpretation of his
flight was so insightful and truly amazing! We were so pleased we were able
to give him the gift of flight and we took much away with us from this experience!
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