iFLY Melbourne to host all-abilities night for wheelchair users

Many wheelchair users dream of the day they can walk, let alone fly – but an Essendon business is making it possible, one adrenaline rush at a time.

Despite living with cerebral palsy, Cooper Smith doesn’t let it hold him back. Photo: Julian Smith

You’d never know daredevil Cooper Smith lived with cerebral palsy when he’s flying.

But the adventurous 14-year-old is wheelchair bound 24 hours a day.

Cooper’s mum, Bron Leeks, said he absolutely loved to fly.

Cooper Smith flies with the help of iFLY Melbourne instructor Anthony Skipsey. Photo: Julian Smith

“I think it gives him that freedom, that adrenaline rush, that ability to move more freely than he does on land,” she said.

“It’s something quite adventurous to do and it’s still quite safe and really fun.”

An indoor flying simulator in Essendon Fields, called iFLY Melbourne, is where Cooper comes to live out his flying dreams.

The facility will be holding an all-abilities night on February 11 so children such as Cooper can fix their own adrenaline rush.

Cooper Smith loves to fly. Photo: Julian Smith

The indoor skydiving experience uses a specially designed wind tunnel to propel divers above the ground, mimicking the sensation of a free fall without the parachute or plane.

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Spectators watch on in disbelief as Cooper soars high. Photo: Julian Smith

iFLY Melbourne general manager Michael Katz said the all-abilities night had been custom designed for those with physical and cognitive challenges.

“The expressions on people’s faces when they enter the tunnel and they are flying with such joy, it really is priceless,” he said.

Cooper said he was “so excited” to fly again.

“It’s just the best feeling to be able to fly, it’s so different to what I feel day to day in my chair,” he said.