Janine Shepherd: Friday's Fabulous Flyer

"If you never have a go, you never never know"

Born in 1962... excellent year for baby girls... Janine was headed for greatness. The physique of an athlete, a spirit stronger than a north wind, and the stubbornness to conquer the world, she was headed for the 1988 Winter Olympics as a cross-country skier.

1986, riding her bike in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, she was hit by a utility truck. She lost all her blood...yes "All" her blood, her spine broke in six places, broke her ribs, hands, feet, arm... and her head was opened wide. The miracles that followed are the reason she is here now.

"Pain is inevitable, misery is totally optional"

Janine survived, but she was paralyzed. Sitting in her wheelchair, she looked to the sky and pondered what to do with her life. As an athlete, your world revolves around your body. After her accident, Janine's life revolved around her body, but in a different way.

And then inspiration struck...

 "If I can't walk, I'll fly!"

And fly she did... Janine earned her pilot's license, instructor license, and soon became an aerobatics instructor. In just 18 months, she went from accident to her private pilot's license.

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

Janine was also told she could never have children, and today she has three daughters. Her life has not been without further tragedy, but another lesson she would soon learn.... there are some things you can't fix. But you can survive.

She proceeded to write four books... and they made a movie of her life.

Janine continues to stand on her own two feet, and she continues to inspire. She is a motivational speaker, and shares her story with a message of hope. There is nothing you can't do. Through another inspirational story, she met singer, song writer, Darren Colston. Together they travel to rural areas, speak and sing, and bring strength and hope to people who have a difficult time facing tomorrow.  Their program, "Lifting the Spirit" is doing just that.

But there is more! Janine was the First Female Director for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, CASA.  Lauren, if there is an advocate for you... Janine is it. I encourage you to contact her... who knows, maybe she can help you with the CAA and your medical.

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Janine, during an interview with FlightPodcast. We are days away from posting this inspirational interview, I will let you know when she is live at: FlightPodcast.com

Both Janine and I were born in 1962, and apparently share the same stubbornness. We both have three daughters, and the fate that changed her life, touched mine as well. My middle daughter, an athlete who was training for the heptathlon at UCSB, was paralyzed during a back surgery when she was 21, and told she may never walk again. She didn't listen either.  Janine and I both found the skies, and the freedom flying brought. Janine has written four books, and this too I hope to follow in her footsteps with my new passion for writing.

Thank you for sharing your life with us Janine! You've touched mine, and I know many others.

You can find Janine on Twitter or her Web Page...
Janine's Web Page
 Twitter

Enjoy the Journey!

~Karlene