HOLLAND, Michigan — There were plenty of happy tears for one West Michigan family on Thursday, thanks in part to a 13 ON YOUR SIDE story.
Estela Lane is back in Michigan, flying into West Michigan Regional Airport in Holland from Maine despite an ALS diagnosis earlier this year.
"It's a terrible disease and it just came on so strong," says Vica Gutierrez, Lane's niece.
Lane can't walk and has difficulty speaking. All she wanted, to visit her family in West Michigan and have one last dance at her nephew's upcoming wedding.
"I figured this might be the last time that I can travel to see all my family," says Lane.
The thought of flying, nearly impossible. That is, until Angel Flight pilot Dennis Coulombe connected with the family after the non-profit saw our story about the family looking for a flight.
"I want to help them with the hardship that they've been handed," says Coulombe. "So it's a good feeling, obviously."
Coulombe flew Lane and her husband here on his own dime, all costs out of his own pocket.
"The sacrifice that he's doing? You seriously can't thank him enough," says Gutierrez.
"People are marvelous. It gives you faith in humanity," says Lane.
Now, things Lane never thought she'd be able to do again are becoming a reality.
"This is what she wanted," says Gutierrez. "This was one of her last wishes."
And that last dance is within reach.
"I'm looking forward to laughing and partying and dancing with them all," says Lane.
She and her husband will spend more than a week in West Michigan before heading back home to Maine.
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