FARGO, N.D. — A young West Fargo, N.D., boy who has been wheelchair bound since he was a toddler will have the chance to be a “Pilot for a Day” at the North Dakota Air National Guard. Jack Gellner, who’s now 9, has Type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a motor neuron disease.
On Thursday, Feb. 23, he’ll be promoted to an honorary general in the National Guard, receive his own flight suit, and have the opportunity to experience a wealth of activities with the Happy Hooligans — from a flight simulator to an airplane hangar to the fire hall.
Jack’s mom, Kristi, said he was diagnosed Sept. 10, 2003, when he was just 16 months old, and that he was using a power wheelchair by age 2 since he is unable to stand or walk and has limited upper body strength. He is home-schooled to prevent him from catching colds that can quickly develop into pneumonia for him. Half of children diagnosed with SMA die before their second birthdays, Kristi said.
Jack’s parents, Rod and Kristi Gellner, and siblings, along with some friends, will join him for Thursday’s activities.
The Pilot for a Day program honors a child who is fighting or has overcome a life-threatening illness or condition. The first event took place in 2005, but the program needed to be put on hold during the 119th Wing’s transition in flying missions a few years ago. The program resumed last March, and Jack will be the fourth “pilot” honored since then.
WHO: Jack Gellner, 9, of West Fargo, N.D.
WHAT: Pilot for a Day program
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23
WHERE: North Dakota Air National Guard, 1400 32nd Ave. N., Fargo, N.D.
MEDIA: The best times for coverage will be at 10:20 a.m., when Jack tours a C-21 Lear jet and then sees one fly overhead or at 10:45 a.m., when he arrives at the fire hall. There also will be a pizza party at the Fargo Air Museum at noon. Please call Amy Wieser Willson at 701-451-2273 (office) or 701-412-6895 (cell) to arrange an escort onto base 15 minutes prior to the activity you would like to cover. Media are welcome to stay throughout the event, as well.
| Date Taken: | 02.17.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.17.2012 09:30 |
| Story ID: | 84007 |
| Location: | FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 64 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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