Muscle Dreams take flight with Aerobility
Muscle Warriors unite at an Aerobility Flying Day and adopt the famous Muscle Warrior Pose.
The Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) and Aerobility have been working together for a number of years, creating barrier-free and life-changing Flying Muscle Dream Programmes for children, young people and young adults living with Muscular Dystrophy (MD) across the UK. Below is an interview with Aerobility conducted by Muscle Help, shining a spotlight on our valued partnership.
Can you share with us what you think about our Flying Muscle Dream Programmes?
This year marks our 11th year of working with MHF to deliver these rewarding aviation experiences and we have seen them have such incredible benefits over the years. The camaraderie the charity brings is so uplifting. On the day there is always a real positive focus on what can be achieved, and not what can’t, which compliments our slogan we try and encourage everyone to leave asking themselves, “If I can fly an aeroplane, what else can I do?”
Why do you think flying programmes are so important for people who require barrier-free experiences?
Accessible flying is one of our core missions as a charity, so to be able to offer the beneficiaries of MHF’s Flying Muscle Dream Programme this experience is vital.
Flying provides so many incredible benefits, many of which may not be immediately obvious to someone who has never experienced it before. From the moment you get inside a cockpit, the body and mind are subject to a whirlwind of feelings and emotions. It’s hard not to feel intrigued and inspired by a sense of exploration and wonder as you take in the array of instruments and controls in front of you.
The moment the engine starts, it brings a surge of excitement. You can feel the aircraft gently vibrate as it comes to life, awakening senses and signalling that something special is about to happen. Then comes take-off, triggering an almost indescribable rush of emotion as the ground slowly falls away beneath you and the horizon opens beyond the nose of the aircraft.
There is something truly magical about this feeling. As the aircraft climbs, the world around you seems to become quieter, allowing you to take in the miles of fields, towns and countryside stretching out below.
Seeing the views, smelling the faint scent of warm engine oil, and feeling the sensation of moving freely through the sky all combine to create an incredible sense of freedom and inspiration.
Because there is so much to focus on when you are in the aircraft, many people find that they automatically leave worries on the ground without even realising it. For a while, anxieties and stresses can fade into the background, replaced by concentration, excitement and a sense of achievement.
Some people even say that, after landing, it takes a little while for those stresses to become apparent again. That brief escape, the opportunity to experience the freedom of flight and simply be present in the moment, is one of the most powerful things we can offer.
Can you describe the changes your team notices in the beneficiaries from the start of the programme to the end?
Working with the Flying Muscle Dream Programme beneficiaries is always a pleasure. Our staff and volunteers always look forward to a visit from The Muscle Help Foundation, as the beneficiaries and their families bring with them such warmth and joy.
Upon arrival in the morning, there is often a quiet undertone of nervous excitement. However, by the end of the day, this has usually been replaced with huge smiles, laughter and even the odd, happy tear.
We love seeing the magic of flight through the reactions of the families, friends and carers who accompany each beneficiary. These reactions are often the best way to understand just how impactful the experience has been, as these are the people who know the individual best and have shared their personal journey of navigating life with muscular dystrophy.
Participants leave our hangar feeling inspired and uplifted, and we hope that feeling stays with them long after their flight has ended. And, of course, they always know where we are if they ever need a little top-up of that magic!
Finally, is there anything else that you would like to share with us?
You do not have to take the skies to experience the magic of flight. Some MHF beneficiaries find it more appropriate to remain on the ground, where we can bring the cockpit them them. Our accessible virtual simulators and help from our incredible instructors have been really helpful to MHF beneficiaries who prefer to immerse themselves into the virtual skies whilst staying safe, but still get a taste of the incredible magic of flight. We look forward to welcoming The Muscle Help Foundation and their beneficiaries back to Aerobility again the future.
The Muscle Help Foundation hosts two fully funded Flying Muscle Dream Programmes each year in partnership with Aerobility. To stay updated on MHF’s upcoming programmes (including the next round of Flying Muscle Dream Programmes), visit their webiste here - https://www.musclehelp.com/