Blog Archives
Awesome in Action and Dream Catcher Balloon!
Thanks to the amazing work of Captain Crystal and her assistant Stacy, Nick was able to fulfill a long time dream of going up in an adapted hot air balloon in beautiful Wyoming!
Dream Catcher Balloon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to give balloon rides in an adapted 2 seat custom built “basket” that allows those with mobility challenges or other concerns to fly! Dream Catcher and Captain Crystal work with people of different abilities, veterans, seniors, and anyone looking to have their dream flight. Captain Crystal is an amazing person and Nick’s flight has been several years in the making!
It was an early day, and tensions were high. Would the wind pick up? Would Nick get to fly? After waking up at 5AM Nick watched out the window while Captain Crystal and the team of volunteers including Nick’s family and friends set up the balloon. At about 6:30AM Captain Crystal gave Nick the OK to get down to the launch area and it was on!
Nick got to ride in the balloon twice, and was so excited. He spun around and looked at the beautiful views of the Snowy Range Mountains and the lake while waving his arms in the air and looking down to his cheering family and friends. His favorite part was looking at the horizon!
Events like these give people like Nick who have different abilities the chance to experience things they may not otherwise get to do.
It’s so important to Nick and his team to make connections with other non-profits looking to spread awareness and inclusivity, and we are proud friends of Captain Crystal and the Dream Catcher Balloon team.
To check out more about Dream Catcher Balloon find them on Facebook or at their website.
Nick can’t wait for his next adventure!
2021 Compassion Film Festival
UPDATE: Due to concerns about rising COVID-19 cases, the in person film festival has been cancelled, but the virtual film festival will still take place August 13th to 22nd. Nick is working to see if he will be able to do a virtual workshop during the online event.
Nick and the Awesome in Action team are thrilled to announce that a short film directed/edited by Jaime Peak and produced by Cindy Peak has been accepted for the 2021 Compassion Film Festival!
The short film Awesome in Action is 21 minutes long and focuses on Nick’s story and his journey to become an author and activist.
“The mission of the Compassion Film Festival is to create a mode of compassionate living by screening inspirational films, presentations, and workshops that provide vision, education, tools, and resources for individuals to cultivate compassionate actions in their lives.”
The film festival is in person August 13th to 15th and online August 16th to 22nd and takes place in Carbondale, Colorado.
Nick will be attending the film festival in person. Nick is excited to announce that he will have a table at the festival with information about Awesome in Action and will be presenting a workshop on Saturday, August 14th. Nick’s workshop will involve of a new version of his Anyone Can Be a Hero presentation.
Nick and his team believe that Compassion Film Festival’s mission aligns with his own, and he hopes he can continue to spark a shift in the way we think about abilities by spreading his message of inclusivity and diversity.
We hope to see you in August!
Awesome in Action, Co 