46 | AUGUST 2019 FLYINGMAG.COMUN
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landing back at KRNO, it happened. A
switch had f lipped—I could no longer
wait or accept the word “no.” My
commitment to moving forward was
unwavering. I was on fire to see my
aviation goal realized. Fully empow-
ered by Shawna’s confident energy, my
mind was made up. I would take the
first step. The fuse was lit.
The largest hurdle was learning if the
FAA would approve me for a medical cer-
tificate. Years of working directly with
the FAA, researching precedent with
knowledgeable aviators and doctor vis-
its with specialists ensued. After a long
road of tests, paperwork and absolute
belief, I finally received a letter granting
me a one-time opportunity for a medical
flight test with our local FSDO—to either
endorse my flying dreams or kill them
forever. A third-class medical certificate
is required to fly solo, but solo flying
wasn’t the goal, helping others was. To
achieve my dream in full, an FAA first-
class medical certificate was my goal,
the same standard airline pilots must
qualify for. It took three years, many let-
ters from specialists, and an unwavering
amount of support from Spine Nevada
neurosurgeon James Lynch, senior avi-
ation medical examiner Dianne Higgins
and others for the FAA to grant me this
testing opportunity. The date was set.
My chance was real. The question was:
Without any feeling or movement in my
feet, how could I manipulate the brakes
to stop a moving airplane?
Family, friendship and love. If you pull
all the noise and compounding minutiae
out of a given life circumstance, these
three elements are the only things that
are real. And if you’ve chosen to include
luck in your life, you likely have a wing-
man. Galen Gifford is a powerhouse
of positivity. He is a philanthropist,
entrepreneur, global curator of stoke,
dream-supporting savant and brother.
The sun was out, summer was upon us,
and we were driving to Galen’s house in
Reno, Nevada. Empowering one another
to achieve milestones we are individu-
ally striving for has defined our years of
friendship. For some reason, on this day
and on this drive, our words led me out
on life’s skinny branches. For the first
time, outside of intimate conversations
with Shawna, I shared my improbable
dream out loud—my fears, beliefs, hopes
and dreams about one day becoming a
licensed pilot. I shared the details about
my dream of becoming an EMS pilot
and encouraging others with physical
“ I’ve heard your story and
understand your desire to fly.”
Opposite: Moments after Grant's first
solo flight.
Above: A proud Charlie Bravo, right after
Grant passed his final check ride exam.
Top Left: Grant training hard in 2009 toward
his upcoming private pilot check ride.