Huang Meihua amputee girl dreams of flying high

In Vancouver, she will learn aviation fundamentals and also be enrolled in a flight training class for up to 10 hours. After the three-week course, she will go through a comprehensive assessment that will determine her physical condition and academic performance, which will determine if she would be qualified to fly.

“Since the school has chosen me, I’m confident that I can make it,” Huang said. “Many people have [difficult] dreams – but there are many things worth trying in life.”

Huang was only 11 years when the magnitude-8.0 earthquake hit Beichuan county seven years ago on May 12. She was buried under a collapsed school building before she could run to safety. Hours later, she was among the fortunate survivors to be rescued; however, both her legs had to be amputated.

But that didn’t deter Huang from pursuing her studies. She was accepted at an international school in Dujiangyan city along with a scholarship. Though she struggled to learn English, the school’s medium of study, she excelled at her studies and worked toward her dream of becoming a pilot.

But why a pilot?

Hours after the quake, Huang remembers being rescued and then rushed to the hospital on a helicopter. And for that very reason, she wants to pursue this profession – Huang wants to be a part of the air rescue team after she receives her pilot license.

“I want my experience to have good influence on people,” she said.