In our series “What Flying Taught Me About Myself”, we’re celebrating 2024 scholar Dorothy Stuart — a woman whose journey with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) has reshaped how she sees herself and what she believes is possible.
Dorothy shared that “my flying scholarship taught me to accept that I am disabled and gave me confidence.”
Spending time with other FSDP candidates and scholars shifted something powerful for her. It helped her see her strengths more clearly and encouraged her to try new things that celebrated what she could do — including taking up wheelchair curling.
For years, Dorothy resisted using a wheelchair because of how others might perceive her. Now? She’s waiting for her second chair — a faster, lighter one — so she can enjoy life even more fully as a wheelchair user.
Her scholarship, funded by Boeing, didn’t just change how she moved through the world; it inspired her to bring others together. Dorothy went on to organise the first-ever face‑to‑face HSP meeting in Scotland, where she lives. Twenty‑five people came together to connect, share tips, and support one another.
Dorothy’s story is a reminder that flying doesn’t just lift you into the sky — it lifts your sense of possibility.
