By Zeke Okely (Fly2Health Physiotherapist) – Zeke on his first flying lesson (sponsored by F2H)
Witnessing the spectacularly colourful West Australian sunrise from above the clouds is a memorable experience, and more than makes up for the early shrill of the alarm clock and pre-dawn starts on my Fly2Health mornings. I have the privilege of travelling to various rural and remote communities throughout our massive State, delivering physiotherapy healthcare as part of the diverse and talented Fly2Health team. It’s fantastic work, with opportunities to meet interesting people from all walks of life, delivering much needed support to adult and paediatric clients who would otherwise miss out on essential healthcare.
Fly2Health has a unique business model, focused on servicing regional communities by bringing the required health expertise directly to their front door. With vast distances to cover between regional communities, the small aeroplanes carrying Fly2Health occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, and physiotherapists (like me), are an efficient way to deliver high quality, evidence based, individualised care to those in need.
I was excited to have the recent opportunity to take control of one of the planes myself under the watchful eye of Alex, the flying instructor engaged by Fly2Health. I had won an internal staff competition run by Managing Director Kennedy Lay, who was seeking innovative ideas to solidify and expand the success of Fly2Health. The opportunity for the flying lesson is indicative of the positive workplace culture fostered in the Fly2Health team, which underpins the sustainable, high quality service delivery to our regional clients. It was an awesome experience to fly the plane, and to get a deeper appreciation of the skills required by pilots who need to be ready for all kinds of sky and ground conditions. I greatly enjoyed my first flying lesson, and I loved the bird’s eye view from the cockpit.