Seven-year-old Annistyn “Annie” C., from Rock Hill, S.C., is like many first-grade girls. On Saturday, May 3, she selected a pink athletic dress paired with pink cowgirl boots. Her favorite activities include playing with Barbies, enjoying board games, shopping at Target, dining at Chick-fil-A and visiting the park.

What makes Annistyn unique is a rare genetic mutation called STXBP1. Her secondary diagnoses include epilepsy, ADHD, Autism, speech delay, developmental delay, sleep apnea and impaired cognition.

Despite these numerous challenges, her parents, Miranda and Patrick, strive to give Annie as much normalcy as possible, so they signed her up for the “Wings for All” program at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) on the first day the application opened.

“Annistyn is most looking forward to sitting on the airplane for the first time,” said Miranda. “Due to her medical history, it hasn’t been feasible for us. The most difficult part will be the crowd and noise. Also, she has decreased mobility and range of motion, so walking far is difficult.”

A Positive Partnership

This year, 55 participants—ranging from six years old to young adults—registered for the Charlotte event, accompanied by family members. More than a dozen others on the waitlist received a private tour of the Airport. Some are nonverbal, a few have specialized wheelchairs or have Tourette syndrome, while others have hidden disabilities.

Ariana Jacobowitz, age eight, is excitedly practicing for an upcoming trip in June. “I’m going to the Dominican Republic!” she giggled.

CLT Airport partners with Delta Air Lines and The Arc of North Carolina to bring this national program to Charlotte. It serves as a dress rehearsal for a real flight for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Wings for All” provides an opportunity to acclimate to the sights and sounds of a bustling and often crowded airport, which can be overwhelming for someone with sensory issues. Some of the children found comfort with noise-cancelling headphones.

“Many families with an autistic child don’t even try to fly because they are afraid, they are going to be on the plane, and panic,” said CLT Airport Customer Initiative Manager Gail Gillies. “So, this allows them to test it out, to see how they’ll react once they get on the plane.”

“It fosters a welcoming and safe environment,” added Jasmine Sinkler, CLT Airport Accessibility & Equity Specialist. “Programs like this are essential to ensure that all families feel empowered and confident to take flight.”

Trial Run for Flight

This is an entirely new experience for Annistyn, who attends York Road Elementary with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). She has never been on an airplane, and neither has her mom, Miranda Baucom, who admits to a fear of heights.

The family travels only by car, including recent trips to Victory Junction (a year-round camp in Randleman, N.C., for kids with illnesses and chronic medical conditions) and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. They hope today’s adventure will help them feel confident and comfortable with air travel.

Delta Air Lines flight attendants chatted with guests during check-in, while the Captain and his First Officer, Cayman Howard, handed out trading cards, took photos and answered questions. “I’m just giving back in any way I can,” said Howard. “I hope I can inspire them.”

CLT’s Canine Crew, the Airport’s volunteer team of professional therapy dogs, was also on hand to help calm any jitters and reassure these special travelers, some of whom even packed backpacks and carry-ons.

Now Boarding

Once everyone had their boarding passes, the families proceeded through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint and made their way to Gate A-35 for a chicken tender lunch and more selfies.

The Flight Information Display board showed that Wings for All, Flight 9807, was “departing” on time at 4:30 p.m., and participants lined up in their group numbers to begin boarding the Boeing 717.

Some eagerly found their seats; others cried and felt apprehensive, but eventually, everyone went down the jet bridge. A few, including Annistyn, sat down and fastened their seatbelts but ultimately decided to disembark before the cabin doors closed, which isn’t unusual. Delta Station Manager Keith Fidler says that some of these young passengers will repeat the process a few times before they feel comfortable.

“Some don’t even get through the door at first, but they get to learn,” said Fidler. “And many have done it for a few years and finally boarded. And that’s what it is about – you don’t get a greater joy than that. I’ve been in the industry 35 years, and when you see people fly who haven’t flown and can have that experience – that’s pretty awesome.”

CLT has hosted the Wings for All program since 2017, and it continues to grow in popularity as families of individuals with disabilities and autism seek new experiences and ways to facilitate much-needed vacations.

Although inclement weather cut their time on the airfield short, it did not dampen spirits.

“It was incredible,” said Baucom. “Everyone was so welcoming, and I think it will help her since she has now seen the plane on the inside, gone through security, walked on paths and sat in her assigned seat - even if she got off because she was afraid of the storm.”

Annistyn’s parents were thrilled with her progress and plan to try again next year. They say it will all be worth it if “Wings for All” leads to a future family getaway by plane.