When we travel on vacation, our thoughts primarily revolve around our destination. We book a flight and accommodation, pack clothes and utensils, and head to the airport. Let's go! Many of us can't imagine what families with impaired or disabled children have to organize in order to make a flight trip feasible in the first place. The fact that there are also people who are unable to make such a trip at all because the obstacles are simply too great, is hard to imagine for those who are not affected.

Jamie, the family's 18-year-old son, is dependent on an electric wheelchair. He has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). This is a rare muscle disease that is associated with progressive muscle wasting. The disease begins in infancy with weakness of the pelvic and thigh muscles and, in the final stages, affects the heart and respiratory muscles. DMD progresses slowly and significantly shortens life expectancy. It is genetic and has no cure to date. One in 3’500 children - almost all boys - are affected by this hereditary disease. Jamie also has autism and does not speak at all.

A flight in a cramped cabin together with many other passengers is unimaginable for Jamie, who is a big fan of airplanes. All the more reason for SWISS to take up the challenge of giving him a tour of a long-haul aircraft. The Airbus A330 HB-JHM was ideally suited for the occasion, as it was currently in the hangar for A-check maintenance.

There was great excitement on all sides when a SWISS team greeted the family with their three children at the airport. The family was escorted directly to the hangar in their vehicle. With the help of a truck lift provided by our cabin maintenance team, Jamie and his family were transported directly to the level of the aircraft cabin.

Taking a seat in First Class

Once at the top, Jamie was placed in a special aircraft wheelchair. This wheelchair allows passage through the narrow aisles of seats throughout the cabin. First and foremost, of course, the family looked toward the cockpit, where they examined everything with wide eyes and Marcel Weber, Head of Check & Cabin Maintenance, explained the buttons, levers and screens. In First Class, the visitors' attention was immediately drawn to the large passenger seats. Of course, Jamie was allowed to sit in one of these seats - and he didn't want to leave. The smile on his face was priceless and you could feel his joy and enthusiasm. It was a moving and magical moment as Jamie felt connected to the world of aircraft in a way he may never have imagined.

We all felt like we were in the air on our way to a beautiful destination and thanks to Jamie's laughter everything seemed easy. In those minutes, the many hurdles in life probably faded into the background a bit for Jamie and his family. Knowing the challenges, the Duvergé family faces in their daily lives, this moment of happiness and connection seemed infinitely precious.

By the time we got back to the hangar floor, tears of joy were flowing. "I am happy that Jamie was able to have this unique experience and that his life felt like flying for a few moments," replied the mother Daniela Duvergé. Even though Jamie and his family face immense challenges on a daily basis, the zest for life and positive energy within the family is palpable and incredibly impressive.

The next time we board a plane, I think we'll humbly remember Jamie's smiling face.