Hello! My name is Kester Woof (Or many people just know me as Kit). If you know me at all, then you probably know that I am both hearing and vision impaired as a result of a rare genetic condition called Usher Syndrome. And, if you know me at all, then you probably know that I am intensely passionate about aviation, plane safety, and the incredible world of flying.

Up until the start of this year, as my vision deteriorated, I was trapped in a funk familiar to many of those with degenerative conditions. A lot of my old hobbies were becoming difficult to engage with, and not only were there accessibility barriers to picking up new hobbies - but even so much as crossing a street makes the people around me nervous. I am constantly asked if I can do mundane tasks without hurting myself, or shut out of being helpful because people are embarrassed when a blind man is able to help them. One of the most prominent recorded mental health impacts of vision loss is a loss of self-confidence, and it's small wonder when tripping over a chair leg--a common occurrence even in my sighted days--now sends a ripple of panic through the assembled crowd.

When I stepped into Aerobility at the start of this year, it was the first time in a long time that nobody was afraid of what I was able to do. You want to fly a plane? Sure thing. Want to sit the PPL written exams even if you can't get the actual license? Sounds like a good goal to set. Interested in aerobatics? Go for it. I knew that blind people had flown planes before, but I had always assumed it was part of a publicity stunt. At Aerobility, I was suddenly surrounded by people and stories of blind people flying not just as a stunt - but as a hobby.

The world opened before me. Suddenly I could do something that I was excited to do, and nobody was telling me to slow down, dial it in, or settle for half measures if I didn't have to. The ability to decide for yourself what you are and are not capable of is the most precious gift any disabled person can have, and we desserve to be asked what we are capable of.

In my case, as it turns out, that's standing on the wings of a Boeing Stearman at hundreds of feet in the air, being battered with winds of 120mph, and held in place only by a couple of wires. So that's why I'm taking part in Aerobility's Wing Walk this 2026.

By sponsoring me, you'll be supporting a fantastic, disability-led organization to make aviation accessible both physically and economically, including scholarships for young disabled pilots to earn their qualifications, specialized courses on finding work in the aviation sector, and even research on accessible space travel. These opportunities both empower people with disabilities, and challenge these spaces to not just make room for disabled people - but accept that there is no reason why we would not be part of the crowd. It really does make a difference.

Aside from sponsorship, the other way you can help is by sharing this link and spreading awareness. People with disability do not need to be wrapped in tissue paper and boxed away in the attic - we need to be supported in achieving the things we tell you that we can do, and we need to be believed when we tell people that we can do it. Disabled people don't just want to fly. We are already flying, and we aren't going anywhere anytime soon. So please, support us, spread the word, and celebrate with us as we chase exciting new horizons!