Editor: I would like to thank Wendy Arevalo for doing such a fine job sharing my story with our community. The most important part of my odyssey that I hope folks will take from it is the idea that having cancer or being ill doesn't mean we have to stop living, dreaming or achieving no matter the obstacle. I have a great deal I still must achieve in my fight with cancer, but am moving right along into treatment.

The other neat thing I wish to share is that I have only achieved the first two of my first three goals I originally set. The first was to find and purchase an airplane of my own. I achieved that one by working seven days a week for nearly a year and along with two other friends now own one-third of a beautiful experimental light sport airplane. The second was to earn my airman certificate, and that I did with the help of nothing less than a small army.

Also I'm excited to announce that we are currently hard at work finishing our plane with the goal of my flying it to Casa Grande, Ariz., this October. If we make it I will be accomplishing my third goal, returning to the Copperstate Regional Fly-In where I first realized my dreams were closer than ever and the wheels began to turn for me trying to find ways to get into the air. I am very much looking forward to this accomplishment and will be sure to report on my success.

Nicholas Wood

Hanford

(July 1, 2008)