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"We are the protagonists of our stories called life, and there is no limit to how high we can fly."


PHD. MBA. MHS. Type rated on A350, A330, B777, B747-400, B747-200, B757, B767, B737, B727. International Airline Pilot / Author / Speaker. Dedicated to giving the gift of wings to anyone following their dreams. Supporting Aviation Safety through training, writing, and inspiration. Fighting for Aviation Safety and Airline Employee Advocacy. Safety Culture and SMS change agent.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Captain Dillon

Friday's Fabulous Flyer

Captain Dillon


May 18, 1991, Jason and Carmen were blessed with a baby boy with mild cerebral palsy. This happy baby boy grew into a delightful young man with dreams that pulled his heart and head into the sky. There is nothing more powerful than a dream so great it turns into a passion.


Dillon's dad, Jason, has been working in the aviation industry for the previous 30 years. He just might have initiated Dillon's love of aviation by taking he and his younger brother, Meritt, to work whenever possible. They were dad's junior mechanics and this passion began and continues to soar.


Dillon's mom said, "Sadly, due to his disability, his dream of becoming a pilot may never be fulfilled, but having amazing friends, that make him feel like he can do anything, his head will always be in the clouds reaching for his impossible dream."  

 What amazing friends you ask? 

Eric Auxier, Cap'n Aux, and his flight attendant girlfriend, Mary Ann Laverty, Bunny, are the amazing angels in his life. It takes an angel to give wings to fly. And this is exactly what these two have done for Dillon.

Bunny and Cap'n Aux
 
So how did they meet Dillon?  
 
The story goes like this... 

Bunny is a friend of their family. Dillon glommed onto her because he said she's an 'exotic flight' attendant, traveling the world on airliners! A young man with a passion for flight chasing a beautiful flight attendant... Dillon sounds like an airline pilot to me.

 
But back to the story...
 
Dillon calls Bunny, 'Aunt Bunny.' He would always pester her about Captain Sully and the Miracle on the Hudson. Forever wanting to know, "Have you met Captain Sully yet?
 
One day Bunny had a brilliant idea. She said, "You know, Dillon, I know somebody more famous than Captain Sully." When his eyes lit up she added, "His name is Captain Aux!" 
 
 
Ever since then Dillon has been reading Eric's blog, Adventures of Cap'n Aux. Eric and Bunny are actively involved in Dillon's life and often take him to lunch and talk aviation with him. Eric say's, "He has all but forgotten that ol' dinosaur Captain Sully.... and now it's all about, Captain Aux!" I say, "as it should be!"
 
 
Capn Aux has allowed Dillon to live his dreams of aviation. He's made himself available to talk about airplanes and flying with Dillon. Then one day he took "Captain Dillon" flying.
 
 
Dillon's first Cessna 310 flight to Sedona 
was a dream come true. 
 
His Mom says, "When Dillon talks about flying, he says it makes him feel free. Free of his restrictive disability. He feels close to God. He feels very blessed to have so many people in his life that are supportive of his dreams."


Take a few a minutes to share Dillon's first flight. You will be so glad you did. A journey worth taking.


Cap'n Dillon's Ecstatic Adventure! from Capnaux on Vimeo.

Life is about giving your best 
to make the best for others. 
Make each moment count. 
Eric and Dillon are!



What words of inspiration to you have for 
Captain Dillon? 
I know he will love reading them. 


Enjoy the Journey!
XO Karlene

36 comments:

  1. Dear Captain Dillon..You are such an inspiration to so many..You are blessed with such a supportive environment which most people even (me included) cant even think of..You have done something that not everyone can even think of achieving..Please continue your journey and I would love to meet u someday!!

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    1. Thank you so much for a beautiful comment! You are so right, he is an inspiration to so many. I appreciate you leaving a message to him.

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  2. Dillon's story is so inspiring! I love that he found such dear friends that have enriched his life and helped him reach for his dreams. Congrats Dillon!

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    1. Thank you so much Heather! Amazing what we can do with carrying friends sharing their lives.

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  3. My heartfelt thanks Karlene. I don't know about the "Angel" part :-) One thing is for sure though, there is power in flying. One that gives you the ability to see and do bigger, better, kinder and more loving things. And to me..that translates to SOARING!! It takes a few seconds to be with Dillon and you would understand what truly matters in life. He sees only love and what's good. Thank you again for extending his wings right here on your blog.

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    1. What she said! Only don't let her kid you: she is an angel! (Except when she's a devil--but that's another story! ;-)

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    2. Mary Ann, Thank you so much for dropping by! Yes... most definitely an angel or two. But sometimes you wonder who is giving more... you and Eric, or Dillon. You're all fortunate to have each other in your lives.
      Thank you for all you do!

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    3. Eric... just found your comment hiding in awaiting moderation folder.... maybe a little bit of that devil. lol

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  4. Hey Karlene, Dillon and Captain Aux - Thanks my Friday really needed that lift! You guys rock! Not sure if you have seen Nathan Doidge's story? He calls himself the "world's most disabled pilot" as he has CP. Watching the documentary about him and how he got his PPL is truly inspirational - so apologies if this is a duplicate, but check him out on the documentary : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ilVBDGn2A and teh BBC coverage : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2n0zQmDLI4

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    1. Chris, Thank you so much for your comment! I found it hiding in the spam. Maybe for the link. So glad I looked! I appreciate you sending the link and for the comment too!

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  5. As I know Dillon would say: AWESOME!!!

    Thanks so much for sharing the love and joy that is this wonderful young man!

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  6. Longtime reader, first-time commenter. Life is beautiful when people make it so. I will go and do likewise:) Tim Peters

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    1. Tim, Thank you so much on all accounts! And there is a first time for everything...and this is the best it could be. Many thanks!

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  7. God bless you all.

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    1. Thank you Alex!!! I hope studies and flying are going well!!!

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  8. This is an awesome feature, Karlene. Cpt. Dillion is such an inspiration and his story is grand. As always, I have to give my all and then some to make life as best as possible for others every single day. Beyond the fact that it is enabling me to fly, it is also a very rewarding position to be in. Having read Dillion's story makes me not only remember the many field trips I have taken my students over to JFK but also strive harder at what I do and go in for the long haul. Merging my two fields together gives me the ultimate joy in life.

    Have a great weekend! -Jeremy.

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    1. Jeremy, yours is one of the most noble jobs there is. You give so much daily....and sharing your love of aviation is something that gives even more. Thank you for all you do. And for the comment too!

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  9. Awesome and how inspiring, you go Dillon and God Bless Eric and his wonderful aunt for helping to make his dreams come true :-)

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    1. Thank you so much for the comment! Making dreams come true is what life is all about!

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  10. Brilliant. Inspirational. I can't find the words - I love this story!

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    1. Thank you Steve. Me too!!! Amazing could be another word. :)

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  11. This is truly inspiring! Thanks for sharing this. I wish there was more of this going on in the world today. Nothing but goodness here! Keep flying Dillon!

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    1. Nick, I couldn't agree with you more. And something tells me Dillon will continue to keep flying!

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  12. Thank you Karlene - and Eric - for publishing this wonderful story to day. Friday's Fabulous Flyer is an understatement today and, in my view, your many great ratings have increased by 1000% today. And best wishes to our friend, Captain Dillon! Of course he can fly!
    (Yup, a great video from Eric as well.) Captain Dillon is a happy kid; thanks to Eric and a few of his friends, The Captain now holds wonderful memories the will *never* leave him. Thanks, Eric!!

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    1. Craig, the amazing thing is Bunny and Eric carry thousands of passengers monthly during their journeys. And I'm not sure their guests are aware of the extraordinary people they have serving them and getting them safely to destination. This story is truly about the passion of Dillon, but as much about the unique and carrying people we call Cap'n Aux and Aunt Bunny. Thanks so much for your comment!

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  13. It's good to know that people as helpful as Bunny and Cap'n Aux exist.. Karlene you too did a good job by letting us know about him... (Y)
    Dillon we are proud of you, you proved that "determination is the key to success"... Soar high in the sky.... :)

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    1. Garima, Thank you so much. We need to give more shouts about the good in the world. It's all around, we just have to look! Thanks for the comment! It's much appreciated.

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  14. Have seen this video many times... Love this story, love these great aviation people! Way to go!

    Sergi Rincón

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    1. Sergi, you must have been watching it all day! And well worth the view. Kind of fun to see the stories behind the videos. Thank you so much for the comment!

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  15. I very much enjoyed reading Dillon story and seeing the video. Dillon is an inspiration to me and many of my followers and readers. I am gad there are people like Bunny and Cap'n Aux giving dreams like Dilion's wings.

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    1. Thank you so much Jerome. We're all in on the feelings of we need more good people like Bunny and Cap'n Aux. They are amazing!

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  16. Awesome story! Realizing the flying dream is cool, enabling the flying dream of others is even cooler!

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    1. Thank you so much Kai! And you have made dreams of so many come alive too.... very good way to live!

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  17. Like Dillon I have always had a passion for aviation and have made it my life. This video is inspiring and makes me want to share my passion with everyone. Blue skies and tailwinds Dillon! Best wishes in everything you do and do it big! AWESOME!

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    1. Scott, some of us who can make it our lives, we forget that we have the ability. So inspiring that we can live to our abilities and still follow our dreams. Thank you so much for the comment.

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