FeedsMed-flight drops in for feel-good afternoon
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Jonah Hurley, a 5-year-old kindergartner at St. Mary Catholic School, sits in the cockpit of the University of Michigan med-flight helicopter last week.It was unseasonably warm on Thursday, but young Jonah Hurley was dressed in a winter jacket, gloves and hat as he made his way slowly across the back parking lot of the 29th District Court in Wayne.
The University of Michigan med-flight helicopter awaited him, but the kindergartner at St. Mary’s Catholic School wasn’t destined to take a ride in it, just a brief visit.
“We’ve been trying to arrange this since the fall,” said School Principal Don Lipiniski. “The days just hadn’t worked out.”
The landing was a scheduled stop for the crew of the med-flight helicopter: part training exercise, part reward for a job well done, and in part just a nice thing to do for a young person who has struggled with his health.
Hurley, who is 5, suffers from cancer. Thursday afternoon, just two hours removed from his latest chemotherapy session, the youngster climbed into cockpit of the helicopter and fiddled
around with the controls.
“It was good,” he said. “It was fun.”
Capt. Kim Pacsai pointed out the controls and gave him a brief lesson on the basics of airborne travel.
“The object is to keep the sky above the ground,” he told the youngster as he pointed to a gauge that simulated the horizon.
His classmates got a close-up look, too, but he was the only one lucky enough to sit inside. They were part of the day, too, because they’ve been helping Hurley with his goal of collecting supplies to donate to the Mott’s Childrens Hospital, where he has received some of his treatment. The students have embraced the project as they’ve embraced their special classmate. Because of his condition, said his father, Steve, he cannot go outside to play at recess. Several of his schoolmates volunteer to stay inside and play games with him, instead.
Hurley has had regular chemotherapy treatments for more than a year, but he has met the challenge with grace and humor, his father said.
“It’s tough, but he’s a great kid,” Steve said. “It’d probably be a lot harder if he wasn’t such a good kid.”
Members of the Wayne police and fire department facilitated the landing last week. Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Bell said he was happy to help.
“It’s a feel-good story,” he said. “It’s always good to be able to do something nice for the kids.”
Students got a close look at the helicopter, including the bay in back where seriously hurt people are transported.
“That’s where the magic happens,” Pacsai told the children. “All I do is fly the chopper. The important stuff happens in back.”
