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Reflecting on Wings for Autism

By Sylvia Fuerstenberg, Executive Director of The Arc of King County

Wings for Autism took flight at SeaTac Airport, and it was a great success. I am so grateful for all of the families who took part in our launch, as well as the many volunteers who made the event a success. The commitment of The Port of Seattle and Alaska Airline is phenomenal. They are single minded in making travel inclusive for everyone. The TSA even made going through security a positive experience. When that is true, you know that everyone was committed! Although I could say a lot more about the event, I would rather let some of the parents and event partners tell you about their experience.

From Lisa Okada Visitacion, Mom:

“Phenomenal event. Increasing awareness and understanding. Building confidence and skills. Giving families hope. These are just a few thoughts I had about the Wings for Autism event yesterday. Kelli (and all the other participants) did such an amazing job. Many, many thanks to all the volunteers (there were many!) and staff at The Arc of King County, Alaska Airlines, TSA and the Port of Seattle. We will remember this experience forever and will most likely be flying Alaska Airlines when we travel by air. (I wonder if we can we take along a few of the volunteers, too?!?!)”

From Jacki Jones Chase, Mom:

 “We got in the plane and they taxied it all over the airport runways. Then they stopped and let the kids, and adults, go check out the cockpit and bathrooms – they really put on an awesome event for kids with Autism!”

From Jennifer Wade, Mom:

 “From the moment my family arrived at the airport, there was a friendly, smiling person with a Wings of Autism T-shirt on, guiding us along our way. Every step of the process we were assured, explained the process and every attempt was made to ensure we were comfortable, our questions answered and made to feel at ease in what is potentially a stressful situation for any parent /caregiver, taking a child on a flight. A special thanks to our pilot Mark who walked thru the entire waiting area talking to each family, meeting the kids, shaking hands and relaying his own personal story and why the event was so important to him. Having a child with special needs I’ve learned that it’s the support of family, friends, specialist and complete strangers willing to share their own insight and compassion that keeps our momentum going onwards on the path of progress and potential.”

Ray Prentice, Partner at Alaska Airlines:

“I didn’t realize until this event that a little bit of additional training and guidance, combined with our great caring employees, could totally change people’s lives. Speaking on behalf of Alaska Airlines’ volunteers I can openly share that we had a blast. We felt a close connection with everyone at the event.”

From Sue Hanson Smith, Partner at The Port of Seattle who traveled to Boston to learn about the event and inspired us to bring it to Seattle:

“Thank you for all for pulling off a spectacular, in some cases, a life-changing event. I am so proud to be part of such a well-organized, energetic, and fun-loving team of professionals! The Arc of King County rocks! Without you we would not have had the families and the special kids to learn from.

Without Alaska Airlines we wouldn’t have been able to provide the “life-changing” experience. Thank you so much for your flexibility and your generosity in providing the airplane experience and memories to these selected families and their children. The t-shirts were the best!

And…TSA was outstanding in their ability to provide an easy, pleasant experience to the families and their children. From all the comments I heard, the first Wings for Autism at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was a great success and it’s because of all of you.”