The Traveling Wheelchair

211 Airport Access Road
Middletown RI 02842.
Phone: 401-843-8687 or 1-877-914-8687    
Email: jeff@riaerials.com
Website: http://riaerials.com/newport_rhode_island.php
You Tube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E20cj37EV-Y

Columbus Day, my mom, Josh, Tony, Ric and I headed out to  Edaville USA in Carver for the Cranberry Harvest Festival. As were we ready to leave we saw a table set up by Bird’s Eye View Helicopters. Here they were offering helicopter tours over the cranberry bogs for $30 per person. I’ve never ridden on a HELICOPTER and thought it would be EXCITING and ADVENTUROUS to take a helicopter ride.

I asked my mom if it was ok for me to ride on a helicopter. She told me it would be fine if the pilot and crew thought it was ok and could get me safely on the helicopter. We approached the table and met John. We asked if I would be able to get on the helicopter and he told us he wasn’t sure but sure would try.

John was extremely kind and offered to take us to the other side of the bog where the Bird’s Eye View Helicopter was sitting. Once arriving at this small yet beautiful, exciting, bright red helicopter, John introduced us to Doug and Jeff, the pilot. I was so excited when John, Doug and Jeff offered to help my friends, Tony and Ric try to lift me onto the rear seat of the helicopter.

They all carefully planned on how they were going to lift me safely onto the helicopter while I sat anxiously and excitedly awaiting.

The rear door of the helicpoter was a little narrow as was the rear seat; the rear seat has a safety lap and shoulder belt which we were glad to see. We also noticed there is not much leg room but thought I could squeeze in. Jeff, the very nice pilot even took the rear door of the helicopter off to see if it would make transferring me easier. They positioned my wheelchair right next to the open rear door. Ric, Tony, John, Doug and Jeff really tried hard and started to lift me up to rear seat. They got me up to the level of the seat but couldn’t manage to get me safely over and onto the seat so they safely lowered me back down to my chair. I was disappointed but very GRATEFUL to all of them for trying.

I think some persons in wheelchairs who have more physical strength and ability than me may be able to transfer to the seat in the helicopter. I would probably need some kind of Hoyer lift to get me up and over into the seat.

I’m thankful that my family and friends allow me to live an adventurous life and not let my disability or my wheelchair prevent me from at least trying. I’ll never forget the ‘ski chair lift’ that my dad, Ric and Tony got me on at Gunstock Mountain. I felt so adventurous riding this ski lift up and back down the mountain and thought a helicopter ride would even top this.

I’m also thankful there are wonderful people in the world as kind, sensitive and helpful like John, Doug and Jeff. I really appreciate their willingness to go out of their way to help me.
 
I give John, Doug and Jeff of Bird’s Eye View Helicopters FIVE STARS for their kindness, sensitivity and willingness to try to lift me onto the helicopter. If you are able to transfer from your wheelchair to the seat in the helicopter, I highly recommend taking a ride on the Bird’s Eye View Helicopter!!