Angel Flight: Boy flies to doctors
Published: November 4, 2005
With doctors in Wisconsin hesitating to perform another surgery on Michael Hall, the 6-year-old is boarding the “angel plane” and getting a second opinion. Michael has been battling craniosynostosis, a rare genetic disorder since he was 6 months old.
Born with no soft spot, Michael’s skull began to grow in an irregular shape. Already he has undergone three surgeries to reconstruct his skull so his brain can grow properly and is likely to undergo more surgeries until he is finished growing.
Although doctors at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison said his head looks fine, his mother, Shirley Baptist, is concerned about a bone protruding on the right side of his skull and the one soft spot on the top of his head.
In order to get a second opinion Michael will fly out to University of New York Medical Center in New York City to see a team of doctors specializing in craniofacial surgery.
If doctors agree, a piece of bone from Michael’s ribs may be used to cover his soft spot.
Michael will leave Sunday at 1 p.m. with a pilot assigned by Angel Flight. A non-profit organization, Angel Flight matches volunteer pilots with both children and adults who need transportation without any charge.
“About 90 percent of our missions are done for people with medical needs who have no other way to access specialized medical care not available in their hometown or within driving distance. These are ordinary people in extraordinary flights,” said Christel Gollnick, CEO of Angel Flight Central.
The planes usually are six to eight seats wide and accommodate just a few people.
“We look for people in financial need or at extraordinary time without many resources. Any family dealing with a critical illness like Michael is in financial need,” Gollnick said.
Angel Flight also helped out during Hurricane Katrina, offering more than 2,000 flights to relocate people the past two months.
“Without Angel Flight, children and adults who need transportation wouldn’t be able to find assistance and pilots and the aviation community wouldn’t be able to help people in need,” Gollnick said.
The central region of the organization covers 10 states and has more than 6,000 pilots involved nationwide. Angel Flight offers 1,500 flights in the Midwest and 17,000 nationwide per year.
“It’s all free of charge to the passengers. There is no fuel reimbursement and pilots give completely of their own generosity to help a stranger in need. It’s a great way to give a unique talent they have,” Gollnick said.
As Michael awaits his flight, his mother continues to collect cell phones to raise money for the Children’s Craniofacial Association. During the past year she has collected more than 300 cell phones for a total of $500 thanks to the help of the Beloit Police Department and the U.S. Cellular store.
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