After serving as an Infantryman for 6 years I was medically discharged with degenerative spinal disease.  I suffered paralysis 6 years ago and I took a year to learn to walk again after 4 operations.  At this stage my wife remembered my childhood dream of flying and she bought me a trial flight at Aerobility. 
I enjoyed it so much I had 4 more lessons and then successfully applied for a grant from Help 4 Heroes. 

During the week I look forward to my flying lesson and when I have a bad week and have been in a lot of pain just sitting in the aeroplane makes my day.  I have control over something; it’s not just medical professionals telling me what I can and can’t do.

I have now completed over 40 hours flying and have also completed a solo flight.  My ambition is to gain my commercial pilot rating so I can become an instructor teaching people with disabilities to fly.

Mark Sines.