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A body defeated; a mind determined

By Janice Wood · June 5, 2011 ·

Pilot recounts a paralyzing plane crash and his will to live in new memoir

The will to live takes on an entire new meaning when it comes to pilot Dave McKenzie. Not only did he have to fight for his life, but he fought to live the life he wanted.

Few people have fought a life harder than McKenzie’s. Almost dead, in a coma and paralyzed, McKenzie was victim to a devastating and life-changing plane crash. Determined to continue the life he had grown to love as a freelance flight instructor and pilot, McKenzie overcame his physical disabilities caused in a July 1980 airshow crash – but learning to walk again wouldn’t be his only setback.

Hounded by a life of emotional and physical setbacks, McKenzie recounts his life as an automobile engineer and pilot in his new memoir, “The Spirit’s Journey.”

With a mother vehemently opposed to McKenzie’s dream of flying, he was forced to pursue a career in the automobile industry. McKenzie’s dreams took over, though, and the rebel in him decided to pursue a hobby in flying that would later lead him to become a freelance flight instructor and consequently endure the most challenging time in his life.

“Although I’ve had many unfortunate events happen in my life, I couldn’t turn a blind eye to my passion and happiness,” McKenzie says. “I decided to take my life in my own hands and overcome all the physical and mental challenges that I endured to have the spirit I knew would make me happy.”

The book is available at Amazon.com and Borders.com.

 

About Janice Wood

Janice Wood is editor of General Aviation News.

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