“Lifted” is a passion project on adaptive paragliding that I filmed in Colombia over two weeks this last February. The idea started the year before when I walked past a sign on Richie’s bus at Piedechinche about Wheels4flying. This was a story I knew that I wanted to tell. It was then put to the side of my desk for the next year but not forgotten.
A week before my next trip back down to Colombia, I still wasn’t sure if I was going to film this story. Life is complicated and I had a lot going on. The usual excuses. Suddenly pieces started falling into place. David Stanek introduced me to Joe Stone who then introduced me to Lucio Pelz who introduced me to everyone else. Finally, my friend Larissa was going to be there and said she would help me out with some filming. I could no longer come up with any good excuses to put off this project.
Hopefully the 47 minutes in this video convey some of the challenges… physical, mental and perceptions by society… faced by those with mobility issues and the freedom that paragliding helps bring to their lives. I also hope that it inspires non-flyers, regardless of ability, to come and share the sky with us.
Wheels4flying has just scratched the surface of what needs to be done for the sport of adaptive paragliding. To help them meet their goals, please visit wheels4flying.com to learn more about how you can help them out.
Thank you to everyone that gave their time to help me tell this story!