STARS Podcast Tells Teen’s Tale of Resilience

Mission Ready Season 2, presented by ARC Resources, dives deep into the skill set of the STARS crew and the value of amazing response partners.

STARS’ Mission Ready podcast offers a front-row seat to the organization’s essential life-saving work. In Season 2, presented by ARC Resources, listeners follow the incredible story of 16-year-old Draidyn Wollmann, who survived a devastating lawnmowing incident.

Across eight half-hour episodes, listeners hear first-hand accounts from the Wollmann family, community members, STARS crew, and many more. This in-depth story sheds light on Wollmann’s resilience and the incredible level of skill that STARS air medical crews possess.

Draidyn Wollmann’s Story

Disaster struck shortly after Draidyn Wollmann began his first summer job mowing lawns. A sudden turn threw him from the seat of the riding lawnmower. The machine ran him over, embedding a blade into his chest and severing his arm.

Trapped and conscious for nearly an hour, Wollmann was found by his manager, who called 911, triggering a STARS’ dispatch. First responders and community allies were already working together when STARS flight nurse Bailey Sinclair and flight paramedic Glen Pilon arrived at the scene. The STARS crew immediately infused blood and intubated Wollmann while he was still trapped. Once he was freed, the crew continued care during the flight to the hospital.

Though he lost part of his arm, he survived. “If it wasn’t for STARS, Draidyn wouldn’t be alive,” asserts Wollmann’s mom, Christine.

Behind the Scenes of the Podcast

Wollmann’s podcast season came to life organically. When Wollmann and his family came to the STARS base to meet his crew, he also met with Lyle Aspinall, STARS content lead and Mission Ready co-host, who was capturing photos of the visit.

As Aspinall and Mission Ready co-host Deborah Tetley spoke with Wollmann, his family, and the STARS crew involved, they were struck by his story and aspirations for the future.

“Being a dad of kids in the same age range, Draidyn’s story hits a little different for me,” said Aspinall. “When you meet Draidyn and you see the way he carries on in life, with positivity, optimism, and the future in his eyes, it reminds you that a person’s situation doesn’t have to define them.”

When presented with the opportunity to share his story on Mission Ready, Wollmann and his family jumped on board, and Season 2 was born.

STARS in Action

While Wollmann’s story is extraordinary, it is one of 63,000 STARS missions flown in the last 40 years. STARS doesn’t just save lives, it saves futures. When you support STARS, you help save the next patient in need and give someone a second chance at life.

“I hope the listeners feel like they’re on a journey with Draidyn, his family, the crews, and with everybody who’s been a part of this organization for 40 years,” said Tetley. “Listeners might not have been physically on the ground, but they were there. All STARS donors had a role to play in saving Draidyn’s life and giving him the best future possible.”

In Mission Ready Season 2, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how STARS and first responders work together under pressure — showcasing not just a mission, but the extraordinary people behind it.