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Rolling Pilot
Biography
At 31 years of age
Michael Glen became the first paraplegic hot air balloon pilot in the
world. The son of two public school teachers, Bill and Susie. Michael
was raised in Roswell, New Mexico, with his brother, Chris. His father
has been involved in ballooning since 1973, before Michael was born.
It seemed natural that Michael would follow in his footsteps. Michael
grew up an athlete with a thirst for challenge.
Two months after his 21st birthday, Michael was involved in a single car rollover that left him paralyzed from the waist down with a spinal cord injury. Nearly 10 years later, despite all the physical and mental challenges, he accomplished his lifelong dream of becoming a balloon pilot.
Michael resides in Phoenix, AZ with his wife, Shawn. He worked in the travel industry as the manager of a travel office. He has traveled to the U. K., New Zealand, and almost every corner of the United States; he is not done yet.
Along with his passion for travel, sports and ballooning, Michael has always had a passion for making a difference in people’ s lives. Michael is now involved in sharing his experiences through giving motivational talks and sharing his balloon with others. Michael has also been selected as an Ambassador for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
Michael was born in Roswell, New Mexico in January of 1975.
Two months after his 21st birthday, Michael was involved in a single car rollover that left him paralyzed from the waist down with a spinal cord injury. Nearly 10 years later, despite all the physical and mental challenges, he accomplished his lifelong dream of becoming a balloon pilot.
Michael resides in Phoenix, AZ with his wife, Shawn. He worked in the travel industry as the manager of a travel office. He has traveled to the U. K., New Zealand, and almost every corner of the United States; he is not done yet.
Along with his passion for travel, sports and ballooning, Michael has always had a passion for making a difference in people’ s lives. Michael is now involved in sharing his experiences through giving motivational talks and sharing his balloon with others. Michael has also been selected as an Ambassador for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
Michael was born in Roswell, New Mexico in January of 1975.
- Played Youth Soccer and Youth Basketball
- Lettered in High School Soccer and Basketball
- Graduated from Roswell High School 1993
- Attended Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell
- Motivational Speaking
- Married Shawn Jefferson July, 2002
- Bill Glen - Retired from Roswell Independent School District after 24 years teaching Physical Education and 10 years as a Computer Technology Specialist
- Susie Glen - Assistant Professor and Educational Technologist at New Mexico Military Institute teaching Keyboarding and College First Year Experience
- Chris Glen of Maricopa, AZ
- Married to Jennifer Diana
- Children: Gio Badini, Alyssa Badini, Owen Glen and Connor Glen
- Dr. Phillip Cathey and Janet, Roswell, NM
- Dr. Scott Cathey and Heather, Jack, Megan and Lilly, Colorado Springs, CO
- Dr. Craig Cathey and Ashley, Roswell, NM
- Mike Law and Dr. Emily Cathey-Law and Corbin, Roswell, NM
- John and Pat Freeman, Albuquerque, NM
- John and Connie Law, Colorado Springs, CO
- Rick Massey, Las Cruces, NM
- Bob and Devonne Romaneschi, Peoria, AZ
