Introducing Caz Cooper — FSDP scholar and now a mentor — whose story shows just how powerful this journey can be.
Caz says she always believed in her physical ability, so when the chance to learn to fly came up, she thought, “why not?” But mentally, she didn’t think she could do it at all. Dyslexia made school tough, and the idea of studying again felt more frightening than flying.
She didn’t get the scholarship on her first attempt — but something unexpected happened.
As Caz puts it:
“I really had gained a new family, a family that I never knew I needed until then.”
That family encouraged her to try again and the second time, she got the scholarship.
Once she arrived and met her fellow scholars and instructors, she realised studying wasn’t scary after all — not when you have the right people around you.
So what did flying teach Caz about herself?
“I learned that it’s ok to have other people in your life… that learning a new skill isn’t that scary… that I can be 100% myself and not the odd one out… and that you really can be disabled and still reach for the skies. The only thing stopping you is yourself.”
Today, Caz is a mentor, helping others discover the same confidence she found.
“Go and reach for the sky — you never know where it will take you.”
#AbilityThroughAviation #ChangingLives #FSDPFamily #WhatFlyingTaughtMe #AviationInspires #ReachForTheSky
