Ms. Wheelchair royalty soar for first time

Ms. Wheelchair America visits Sequim for balloon ride, courtesy of the Dream Catcher program

June 8, 2016 2:56 pm
Current and past royalty look to fly in the Dream Catcher Balloon program on June 4. Pictured are
Current and past royalty look to fly in the Dream Catcher Balloon program on June 4. Pictured are

Royalty took to the skies on Saturday, June 4, at the Sequim Pumpkin Patch.

Current Ms. Wheelchair America Dr. Alette Coble-Temple of Walnut Creek, Calif., Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2015 Julie Broadwell of Sequim, and Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2008 Meg Paulsen of Snohomish, all received rides courtesy the Dream Catcher hot air balloon and pilot Captain Crystal Stout. Coble-Temple and Paulsen both said it was their first time in a hot air balloon.

“I’m adventurous,” Coble-Temple said. She plans to jump out of a plane in July, too.

The event raised funds for Chrysalis, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that allows vertically challenged individuals, seniors, veterans and more a chance to ride in a hot air balloon supported by a seat as opposed to a basket. So far, the ballon has given more than 400 flights since October 2015.

During Sequim Lavender Weekend, the Dream Catcher Program offers rides at Jardin du Soleil and a balloon bounce house at Olympic Lavender Farm, Stout said.