Collin Soars to New Heights

He has always admired pilots because of their calm, confident, steady and in control demeanor. A caring teen, Collin aspires to have a career that helps and serves others, but also requires a pilot’s license. Now 16, Collin wished to have flying lessons.

His mother said, “When there’s a cancer diagnosis, you give up everything. You erase your calendar. And then you get through it and there’s nothing on your calendar anymore."

Collin arrived at SkyBlue Flight Academy in Stuart, FL with a new confidence. He had flown with an instructor before and was ready to soar to new heights. He toured the hangar, helped with pre-flight checks, and filled the gas tank. When he sat in the pilot’s seat, his smile grew even bigger. It was time to take off for his hour-long “Discovery Flight” with a skilled instructor by his side to ensure that the flight went smoothly.  And what a flight it was! Collin enjoyed getting to drive and do turns. The landscape was breathtaking, and they even saw sharks when they flew by the lighthouse.

After his first flight, Collin said, “It didn’t hit me until landing that I just did that. It was really amazing! I’m looking forward to going back in the air, and I can’t wait to learn how to land because that has always kind of scared me. The more I come back and learn, it will be easier."

After watching his Discovery Flight from the ground, Collin’s mother said, “It’s a dream come true to see the joy on his face. It’s like we are not the same as we were before his treatment. He’s come full circle through the experience of facing Hodgkin’s lymphoma and I’ve got a heart of gratefulness. This wish reignited the fire in him, and for his future – I can see it when he gets off the plane.”

His Discovery Flight was just the beginning of his journey to earn his pilot’s license. Collin respects and honors pilots because he understands how stringent the qualifications are to get that coveted license. His wish enables him to have fun, plan for the future and eventually have a career helping others from the sky. Already four flight lessons in, every time he gets off the plane he is happier than before.

Collin said, “This wish means a lot because it marks a fun, new beginning in my life. When I am in the sky, I can see everything, and this gives me a new perspective on my life. A year ago, I would have never thought I would be doing this. I am very grateful for this opportunity.”

Wish Granters: Fran Garfunkel & Anne Mulhall
Referred by Alexa Zucker
Wish adopted by Anthony Lopez & Dr. Nicole Martin from Your Insurance Attorney