ORIGINAL: skeeter_ca
I just started flying again about 2 years ago after hanging it up after a crash right after soloing 20 years ago. My son urged me to start flying again because he wanted me to teach him. He didn't want an instructor, he wanted me! To explain about my son, he has ADD with slight gross and fine motor skill problems. He is an out going kid but i can tell he is self consious about his disabilities. He spent about 15 seconds on my glow trainer and was scared away from it. I pulled out an old glider from the rafters and put on an electric motor and he really liked it. It was slow moving and reacted slow until he could get used to controlling it. He has been doing fine on it and only had problems when the wind would start blowing. We decide it was time to move up. I bought a Fledgling by ModelTech. An Electric trainer with a wing span of about 52''. I was kind of nervous about training him. I had someone at the feild maiden the plane and it flew great right off the runway with very little trimming. I flew the plane for alittle to get the feel for it and then at 3 mistakes high i handed it over to him. He did very well even though i could tell it was alot more difficult for him than the glider. He liked it and this weekend i'm buying new 2.4 radio's so i can buddy box with him to make it easier to train. I was worried about not having enough experience but it seems to be working ok. It's fun having a son to fly with. With something slow like a motorglider anyone can train someone.
skeeter
being the parent of a child with special needs prepares you for there individual requirements, faults and frailties,your probably the best suited to deal with his particular issues to begin with, if he decides to advance beyond your ability then your both winning it will be his turn to help dear old dad push the limits LOL.
one of my sons has cerebral palsy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_palsy
I can tell you first hand it can be a real challenge working past learning or physical issues, he and his brother realy like the model building aspect, and both enjoy useing the sim, his motor skills may never allow him to fly a plane but he still enjoys hanging with dad in the shop,when there not playing video games,if he decides he wants to give it a go I will always be there to help him make it a reality, just spending time with your kids is a reward worth cherishing.