A first flight for children treated at Avignon hospital
“What was most impressive was being at the top and _see people and cars in very small_“, raves Clélia at the exit of the small plane on the tarmac of the Avignon aeroclub this Saturday, May 14. Like her, 24 children receiving treatment at Avignon hospital were able to fulfill a dream : fly over the bridge of Avignon.
Some, like Liam, have even flown over the Pont du Gard. But before the flight Liam was not very reassured. “Have you heard of the pilot who passed out? It was his passenger who landed the plane. I hope it will do the same”, he worries. He has diabetes and this day he was looking forward to because for once he felt “the equal” of his comrades who are not suffering from pathology.
Children with shining eyes and pilots with their heads in the clouds
Children are combined with the descent of the device. But others also have glitter in their eyes: the pilots. They are four to take turns two by two to 30 minutes of flight with 3 children on board. For Alain, an experienced pilot, each time it is a pleasure to participate in this operation, but not only for the little ones: “my pleasure is to see the stars in the eyes of these kids”.
For Gordon, another of the volunteers is a way “to get them out of their daily care”. A version confirmed by the director of the Avignon hospital, Pierre Pinzelli: “It is a precious moment for the children, which has created a bond and which allows us to have another look at the disease.”