Contributors: Gloria Tim Binning Angeline Carbajal Jo Crawford Michael Eimer Madison Fischer Floyd Galloway Savannah Haas Kasey Kaler Jennifer Longdon Aitana Yvette Mallari Marc Martinez Clinton McDaniel Princely Nesadurai O’Connor Alexis Ramanjulu Jillian Seamans Worthington Columnists: Gary Karp Amina Kruck Gus LaZear LivAbility Magazine Ability360 5025 E. Washington St. 200 Phoenix, AZ 85034 (602) 256-2245 ISSN 2475-6474 (print) ISSN 2475-6482 (online) This magazine is printed with vegetable-based inks. LivAbility is available as an accessible PDF online at Ability360.org/LivAbility. Large print versions are available upon request. Editor@ability360.org 602-296-0590 Advertisement LivAbility Ahora en español. PDF disponible para descarga en Línea gratis. Encuentranos en ability360.org/livability.
After careful research, they had chosen to fly with Michael Glen because he was the only balloonist in Arizona to offer accessible rides. As the sun began to rise, Glen and his crew prepared for the morning adventure, moving with practiced precision. They started with the balloon canopy, removing the rainbow colored envelope from the trailer and slowly rolling it out on the dirt. Next came the basket. Glen’s basket is not the typical four high-wall enclosed basket. His is a simple aluminum frame about the size of a love seat that is open to the air. The curvature and simplicity of the basket allows Glen, a wheelchair user, to sit while piloting the balloon. Glen uses a bungee cord to prevent his feet from dangling. This is the sole adaption Glen has for his balloon. The basket can hold one other person, and is accessible to passengers who have disabilities. Both Glen and his passenger are secured by a standard seat belt. There were many intricate parts to the basket; pulleys and connections from the balloon to the aluminum frame. Glen personally rigged them all to ensure they were done right. Glen inflated the balloon slightly to ensure there were no holes and rolled inside, inviting the Claytons into the envelope as well. Up, up and away a test flight, it was time for the Claytons to soar. The loud hisses and pops of propane filling the balloon startled Bryce, causing him to hesitate. He balked the first time he was invited onto the gondola, shaking his head no—indicating he no longer wanted to go up in the balloon. Bryce was more relaxed and ready for his turn after watching his sister take her turn. “As soon as he sat down on the seat to go up in the balloon, he had a big smile on his face,” Bryce’s mother, Tammy Clayton said. While in the air, Bryce’s smile got bigger the higher they rose. His family likes to do fun and adventurous activities for his birthday. “This is the most adventurous we have done,” Tammy chuckled. “I don’t know if we can top this.” Pushing the Envelope When he was two weeks old, Glen’s father, a pilot himself, took him for his first hot air balloon ride. Glen put ballooning on hold to pursue other sports. It was after he was in a single car rollover in 1996 that he decided to get his pilot’s license.
Socialization through Recreation Feb 2 – AZ Casino Feb 12 – Cooking Group Feb 15 – Bowling Feb 23 – Game Day Saturday, February 11th, 9:30am Inaugural Trike Event Red Mountain Park in Mesa, Arizona 6 mile Trike Ride 1 mile Trike Ride | 1 mile Community aptaaz.org/events February 9-11 Wheelchair Rugby Tournament Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center Socialization through Recreation Mar 2 – Phoenix Zoo Mar 9 – Cooking Group Mar 16 – Bowling Mar 23 – Art & Craft Group Mar 31 - Movie Sunday, March 5 We’re Moving Forward Brain Injury Annual Survivor Celebration Picnic Save the Date - Details Coming Soon! Family Friendly / Accessible Pioneer Community Park 8755 N 83rd Av, Peoria AZ wmforward.org/event/annual-survivor-picnic March 4-5 Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Tournament @UA Recreational Center March 24-26 Mountain Division Sectionals @UA Recreational Center Friday, March 10, 2017 Push Forward Conference Save the Date!! More info to follow. Desert Willow Conf Ctr, 4340 E Cotton Center Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85040 azspinal.org/calenar.html