Maurice McKenzie’s fascination with airplanes dates back to his birth.
The Owensboro native has a sickle cell disease, an inherited red blood cell disorder passed down from one’s parents. Because of this, Maurice has undergone several surgeries throughout his childhood to manage his health.
His lifelong dream of becoming a pilot has remained unwavering, despite the challenges posed by sickle cell disease.
On Thursday, Amazon helped him get up close and personal with several of their marquee Boeing 767 Prime Air jets. Amazon’s North American Superhub is located at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron, serving as a vital artery in the company’s logistics network. The hub, spanning 600 acres, includes an 800,000-square-foot sortation building, multiple support structures, and aircraft ramps.
Maurice, along with his family, was escorted through several of Amazon Air’s critical facilities, including their air traffic control center, loading ramp, and sorting facility. Maurice received a private tour of a Prime Air Boeing 767 parked on the loading ramp. Two pilots guided him through the aircraft, showcasing the cockpit, cargo hold, and twin engines.
His mother, La’Shawen, told LINK nky that the experience was worthwhile, as Maurice got to experience a Boeing 767 up close.
“It’s been pretty cool seeing the whole cargo operation,” she said. “Amazon has treated us great – good hospitality, very informative.”
The event was made possible through a collaboration between Amazon and Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana. Ali Deters, senior advancement officer at Make-A-Wish OKI, said that while the logistics of the event were challenging, it was worth it to help Maurice fulfill his wish.
“We’re really lucky to have amazing corporate partners, just like Amazon, to be able to grant wishes,” she said. Maurice’s wish is to be a pilot, so it’s really cool to be able to pull some of our partnerships to make something really magical happen for him. It has been a lot, I know, on our wish team, on our mission team, to really put the logistics together, but Amazon has been incredible to work with.”
Maurice’s Amazon visit was part of a multi-day aviation experience spanning Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Make-A-Wish OKI’s Creative Director Matt Smith told LINK nky’s Ethan Bloomfield that Maurice recently visited Indianapolis-based Republic Airways on June 24 followed by a flight simulator in Columbus, Ohio, on June 25. Following the Amazon visit, Maurice will visit Executive Jet Management in Cincinnati on June 27.
