�
If you want to see pictures from the trip to Disney, please Click Here.
Dear everyone,
What an awesome adventure! This trip began with opulence and has continued with excess each step of the way! All to make children smile and laugh. It's so heartwarming. From our 8 am pickup in the white, stretch, Just Magnificent Limousine (fully appointed inside, much to the boys' delight -- we nixed the whisky, though!) to our being greeted a the airport by our Make-A-Wish Granters, Nola and Paulette (with their arms FULL with huge bags for each boy with stuff from the employees of the Disney store in Woodfield mall -- jammies, hats, sweatshirts, favorite snacks, stuff to do on the plane and more!) to the special greetings by the American Airlines staff (including the boys sitting in the pilot and co-pilot seats getting pictures taken), and we still hadn't left Chicago! Then, first boarding status on the plane, an easy ride for the boys (Spencer's first flight and he was GREAT the whole way) and personal greeters from Give Kids The World in Orlando, who escorted us to our Budget rental car! And off we went -- to Give Kids The World (www.GKTW.com -- DO check this out!!!) village in Kissimmee (30 min drive from the airport). I can only best sum it up by repeating Spencer's delight when he said "Mom, I'm not calling this Disneyworld anymore, I'm calling this HEAVEN!". Score! As far as he is concerned, we don't need a moment of Disney -- he could hang here at the village the entire trip. It is absolutely 100% designed for kids who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses and their families. The employees are mostly volunteers -- over 2,000 I'm told, many of whom are retirees who work one or more days a week in different capacities (waiting tables, greeting, serving up ice cream dream concoctions, leading activities) all to delight these children. And they're unbelievable -- so friendly and warm.
More details of GKTW, peppermint candies in the tables, ice cream cone garbage cans, cone tables, sundae bowl benches, talking, paper-sucking garbage cans, GKTW/Panama Jack T-shirts and Mickey Mouse ear hats for the boys upon our return from Disney the first day, an electric football game for the boys the second day.
Tuesday, Disneyworld -- Magic Kingdom -- First the boys were a bit overwhelmed -- Spencer was particularly overstimulated, but Travis soon jumped right in and was enjoying himself thoroughly. He said the Buzz Lightyear ride was A RIOT!!! (I agree!) Race cars (that was a good hoot, too!) were a blast, except poor Spencer bumped his nose on the steering wheel in the car with Joe which, understandably, put a damper on things for him) the Crystal Pavilion Restaurant with great food, ambiance AND Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore and Piglet autographing the boys' books, giving hugs and posing for pictures. We did opt for using a wheelchair -- which felt very, very strange. A grim reminder of the "not so normal" reason we were at Disney. But it was a good decision, as Travis did get very tired out, even with so much riding and both boys got to ride on it, which made it a much easier day getting around. We also got to go in the exits on the few rides, so as to avoid any of the waiting on lines.
After half a day of Disney, the boys were wiped out (already!) so we returned to GKTW in time for a short swim in the pool, Joe's training run, dinner and then the fishing contest at the village! While our boys didn't catch anything during our brief stay there, we were witness to a most heartwarming event. One teeny boy had been trying and trying since long before we'd arrived. After so patiently waiting without a nibble, one of the volunteer fisherman suggested he try a different pole. And lo and behold, suddenly the little boy had a whopper on his hands -- about 7 lbs.! This boy was SO excited and proud as he reeled it in with his dad and as he posed for pictures with his fish and won his official fishing pole kit. After he'd left, the fisherman told us that this boy had just been released from the hospital that very morning -- and he'd never caught a fish before. Sooooo, for just those reasons, this man saves a few fish that he catches just before each fishing derby here and leaves them in the water on a line and, you guessed it -- the switch to the magic pole facilitated this boy getting the thrill of a lifetime by "catching" his fish all by himself. And the boy was never the wiser. Man, if that didn't grab at Joe's and my heartstrings. And because our day hadn't been packed enough, we then headed over to Epcot (about 20 minute drive form GKTW) just in time for the fantastic Illuminations 2000 laser light and fireworks show at 9 p.m. It was worth the trip a millionfold. It was just stunning. We were all thrilled to have seen it (and may try again another night while we're here). And SLEEP that night? Yikes, we were all out COLD.
Wednesday morning it was cool and rainy. We were all pretty tired, so didn't rush things in the morning. The boys were tickled pink to stay at GKTW and play in the game building, where they worked up a sweat banging on whack-a-thing machines, basketball games, skeeball, steering and crashing electric toy boats, and just having a wild time. Again, I was so touched at the senior citizen volunteers who would unobtrusively jump in and begin playing with the boys, laughing and challenging them to games. I told one of them, "You probably aren't allowed to ask us why we're here, but I just want you to know that THIS is what 1 1/2 years post-bone marrow transplant looks like. Happy as a clam -- because of you all and this magical place." Well, this woman just melted and said her husband had died of cancer years ago, and that she needed the boost of being with these kids and seeing their joy and smiles and being with them to keep things in perspective and "give back." What an honor she does to her life and her husband's memory. And there are so many people like this at GKTW, it's absolutely humbling.
When the rain let up, we made our way over to Sea World and had the time of our lives (not dreaming that we could have topped everything so far!). We took in the Shamu show, the dolphin show and most importantly, saw the totally hilarious and utterly incredible seal and walrus show of "Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island". Joe and I had heard it was good, but had really no idea how truly professional and clever and FUNNY this show would be. The four of us just howled along with the rest of the audience. I took as many pictures of the kids laughing hysterically as I did of the show itself. Afterwards, as we were leaving and getting Captain Squid's autograph in the boys' books, I leaned over and said to him (Eric is his real name), "I'm sure there are days when you're tired or cold or sick or the animals don't perform as you'd hoped, but I want you to know that you made two children laugh as they haven't laughed in almost 2 years by your tremendous performance." I explained about Travis' transplant and how this was an absolute capper to our trip. A reminder of how we'd lost so much unrestrained joy over this last two years -- and how freeing it felt to have it back. As you can imagine, Eric was so grateful to hear how much the show had meant to us. He said that between the animals and kids like this, it's what kept him fulfilled and able to on each day. And then, he asked us to stick around so he could bring out Clyde the seal for the boys to meet up close and pet! It was so wonderful (can you see I'm totally out of adjectives?). Sure enough, the boys got to stroke the seal's fin, give him a few signals and then pose for pictures and videos with the cast and seal. We were SO touched, and truly hadn't planned on the special treatment.
A harsh reality hit during the day happened when a woman approached us all later and noticed that we were all four wearing Leukemia Society of America Team In Training shirts. She asked if we were running in a marathon for them, and Joe and I proudly answered YES (I'm doing Stockholm in June and Joe is planning on doing Chicago in October this year) and she then asked if we'd like to meet a boy who has leukemia -- her son. So as I knelt down to say hi to this little boy who sat weakly in his wheelchair, it hit me like a thunderbolt as I saw his GKTW pin with his name -- Travis. We then learned (quietly, out of earshot of our boys) that this little Travis had leukemia and received a marrow transplant from his sister as the donor -- and then relapsed in his kidneys. Since the cancer came back in the cells he received from his sister, apparently they're only giving him some new experimental drugs and have no other recourse. Joe and I were stunned. Two Travises. Much love and hope. And we were shocked silly. But the mother reminded us, "Hey, we're here and the kids are having a ball. And that's all that matters at this moment." Joe and I could barely look at each other for a bit. Fortunately, this mom was right. We were able to "shake it off" and be in the present -- and enjoy all the abundance around us for the rest of the day.
Wednesday evening was Parent's Night Out. Joe and I were inclined to nix that, thinking the boys would never agree to let us go. But the college kids who volunteered (from the Disney University program) to kidsit had the "Castle" all set up for a night of spoiling and fun for the children. And by now, I think the kids were as ready for a break from us as we were from them! Sitters were 1:1 with the kids and parents received pagers and a voucher for dinner out at a local restaurant. This place hasn't forgotten one single detail. And Joe and I did really enjoy our short break away. After our return, we hustled the boys back to our villa just in time for something Travis had been asking for -- a GKTW specialty -- getting tucked in by Mayor Clayton -- the bunny mayor of the village. It was adorable -- as Mayor Clayton came in and began bouncing on Travis' bed (Spencer was hiding in the other room -- wanting nothing to do with this particular event!), having a mock pillow fight, cuddling up and then kissing Travis and hugging him goodnight. All captured on video, of course. A sweet, sweet touch. And as Mayor Clayton left, like all of the costumed characters anywhere here who aren't allowed to speak out loud, he (she?) used gestures to communicate to Joe and me by putting his hands over his heart and nodding his head thanks to US. Another teary moment for me as he kissed my hand, shook Joe's and left. And here I sit at the computer feeling like we've lived a month in 2.5 days. Three more days to go. This is one hell of a wish, my friends.
Love from the huge Disney fans,
Melanie, Joe, Travis and Spencer
P.S. If you made it through this and can stand more Disney details, stay tuned for the sequel - coming soon.