In the Presence of Greatness: Freedom's Wings (Part 1)
- Frances Schwabenland
- Jun 27
- 4 min read
The other night when I was getting into bed, I did something I have never done before - I felt so incredibly grateful that I was able to easily do this small action that went totally unnoticed for all the years of my life. You see, I spent the weekend photographing and getting to know people with indomitable spirits and generosity of time and heart who were all connected with Freedom's Wings.
"The mission of Freedom’s Wings International (FWI) is to
conduct proven programs to break barriers, inspire confidence,
plus foster a sense of freedom and accomplishment for
individuals with disabilities by offering them the exhilarating
experience of glider flying. This unique initiative provides the
highly-specialized training and necessary resources to enable
individuals with disabilities to pursue the thrilling adventure of
glider flight, including everything needed to become a Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed glider pilot."
What a thrill it was for me to see a wheel chair out in the field and the owner soaring up into the clouds powered only by the wind.
If I may introduce you to a few of the victors I met...At 86, Sonja redefined what it means to be fearless. Paralyzed for most of her life. She moved from paraplegic to quadriplegic after a surgery and had every reason to stay earthbound—but instead, she chose the sky. With her daughter Andrea’s steady support, Sonja left her wheelchair behind and stepped into the unknown: the open cockpit of a glider. As they soared above the world, weightless and free, Sonja wasn’t just flying—she was reclaiming a life of possibility. Her sheer enjoyment echoed through the clouds, a testament to the strength of a soul that never stopped dreaming. I want to be just like her at 86!
After a diving accident at 13 left her paralyzed, Hanna refused to let that moment define her. Fueled by fierce independence, unwavering determination, and a quiet inner fire, she spent years rebuilding a life of purpose and movement. Now at 30, she walks again—despite one side of her body remaining weak—driven by sheer willpower, relentless perseverance, and a deep belief in possibility. When she heard about Freedom's Wings, Hanna didn’t wait for help or someone to go with her—she drove 3½ hours alone to the Philadelphia Gliderport, guided by her adventurous spirit and a hunger for new challenges. After soaring through the sky, she stepped out of the glider smiling even more. “Something has been stirring in me to do more, to give back more and now I am thinking about becoming a certified pilot!" That stirring—rooted in resilience, courage, and a passion for growth is so contagious to all who meet Hanna.
Masaki radiated a purity that needed no words—just the brilliance of his smile and his contagious laughter. Though he didn't speak, his spirit spoke volumes, meeting life with an open heart and an unshakable sense of wonder. From the moment he arrived at the gliderport, it was clear: this wasn’t just a flight, it was a dream taking shape. Surrounded by his family, who shared Masaki's love of planes and flight, his excitement lit up the day. Masaki reminded everyone around him what it means to be fully present, to greet life not with expectation, but with joy. In the sky, he wasn’t escaping gravity—he was rising into everything he already was.
It was a bullet that changed the course of Jeff’s life at just 13 years old, confining him to a wheelchair—but it never broke his spirit. In his powerful memoir, My Feet Are Off the Ground, he writes, “A road paved with pain, despair, uncertainty, and rejection led to acceptance, autonomy, forgiveness, and awakening.” Jeff’s journey has been one of extraordinary courage and transformation, earning recognition from outlets like CNN, the New York Times, and the New York Daily News. Years ago, he soared with Freedom’s Wings, and recently, a quiet nudge within urged him to find out if glider flights were still being offered. They were—and the timing was perfect. Without hesitation, Jeff set out on a very long drive from North Carolina at 3 a.m., chasing not just flight, but the freedom that only the open sky can offer. His story is a testament to resilience, the power of choice, and the endless human capacity to rise.
Sonja, Hanna, Masaki, and Jeff offer us a kind of heroism—the kind forged in silence, persistence, and impossible hope. Sonja soared at 86, rising above a life of paralysis to touch the sky with her daughter by her side. Hanna, who once lost the use of her body at 13, now walks into challenges with bold determination, driving hours alone to rediscover the sky and its freedom. Masaki, unable to speak but overflowing with joy, reminded us that the purest spirits speak through light, not language. And Jeff, whose story was nearly ended by violence, now writes new chapters with every mile, every morning he dares to begin again. These four extraordinary souls didn’t just take a flight—they reclaimed freedom, dignity, and joy. They remind us that disability does not mean inability, and that the sky belongs to every dreamer who dares to rise.
Thanks to the vision and heart of Freedom’s Wings, these moments are possible. This organization doesn’t just offer flights—it offers transformation. It lifts not only bodies, but spirits. It turns impossibility into adventure, and limitation into limitless sky. For those who have been told “you can’t,” Freedom’s Wings is the place where they finally hear, “you can—and you will.” Because when courage meets opportunity, miracles take flight.
To volunteer, contribute to this great endeavor or spread the word to someone you know who may be interested, contact: Freedom's Wings
Note: Each person I met deserves their own uncrowded space so I will continue to share the stories of others who had the courage to leave the constraints and soar in Part 2
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