Wounded Service Members Take Flight

MARICOPA, Ariz., Feb. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After serving her country in the Navy, and a career flying with a major airline, Nik Alfred has accomplished a lot in her life, but she experienced a first - flying in a hang glider.

Nik joined a group of wounded veterans at Phoenix Regional Airport in Maricopa to take flight.  

Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) provided injured veterans the opportunity to engage with other wounded service members. WWP sees these opportunities as an important part of a wounded veteran's recovery. Through shared experiences, injured service members can build a support structure to help in times of need.

Nik says she has been trying to experience the exhilaration of flying for the past three years, since her injury changed her life.

"Every year it always gets pushed back," Nik said.  "It felt good to see others with the same excitement as me."

Gary Wyatt is also a Navy veteran and WWP Alumnus.

"This is a once in a lifetime. I will never forget it," Gary said. I thought I was afraid of heights, I guess not now."

Nik has struggled with seizures for the past few years and wasn't sure if she could make the event.

A WWP staff member drove to Nik's house and brought her to the airport to ensure Nik wouldn't miss out on this opportunity, which came just more than a week before Nik turned 35.

"It helped me to have a 'happy birthday' this year," Nik said.

WWP provides 20 free programs and services to wounded veterans, their families, and their caregivers. WWP is committed to the long-term care of our nation's most seriously injured veterans. The Independence Program helps service members with moderate-to-severe brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological conditions. These wounded veterans rely on family members or caregivers to help live the most independent lives they can. WWP's Independence Program works with injured veterans, their caregivers, and families to create a plan to have as meaningful a future as possible.

About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160205/330294 
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160205/330295

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project