Hot air balloon rides for the disabled

A stunning sunrise greeted passengers on a unique hot air balloon ride this morning.

In an Australian first, a specially designed basket allowed a group of wheel-chair bound sightseers to experience the thrill of flying high. Adrienne Bliss and Jenny Cassidy, who have cerebral palsy, were among the first passengers to board the dawn flight above Melbourne.

The high-flying ballooning experience was a first for Adrienne. “I’ve never been in one before,” she told 7News reporter Nick McCallum .

The special basket is equipped with a gate, allowing chair access. The chair and occupant are then secured safely in seat-belts before take off. It was the flight of fancy for pilot Kliff Saunders.

He broke his neck and shattered his leg in a horror motorcycle accident four years ago.

“I spent a year learning how to walk,” he said. “I got an insight into what it was to lose your mobility.”

Kliff dedicated himself to designing and hosting balloon rides for the wheelchair bound. It took almost a year to get the specially-built basket approved by air regulators, and it is the only one of its kind in Australia.

The delight of his passengers has made the effort worthwhile, said Kliff.

via – Yahoo!7.