How do you say "Life Altering Experience", with out it sounding corny?!?!?! We were refereed to Make*A*Wish and granted a trip to Disney World a couple months ago!!! First off I have to answer the question, "No", Drake is not terminal. My understanding was the same of the M*A*W. When the wish person called and I answered the phone, that was his first words. "Let me start by saying your child has been refer ed to our program, but is not dying!" Whew I thought, then I chuckled, because I'm sure he has said that on several occasions!
After the process of paper work began and the Christmas holiday was over, we had all the plans made for our trip. Can you imagine going on a family vacation and not having to make one single phone call, ticket plans or even having to decide where to eat? Let me add too, when you travel with a special needs child who has medical needs, there are lots of other considerations that go into play. Make*A*Wish took care of ALL the details. Oh Yea, IT WAS ALL EXPENSES PAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They arranged for a portable oxygen tank to take on the plane (Only one of it's kind allowed on plains, for the size and type breathing Drake has). They made all the arrangements for his Oxygen concentrator at the room, suction tank, extra batteries for different devices and his special bath chair. They also took care of allowing and paying for our nurse to go!!! She ended up being a very crucial part of our family being able to go and completely enjoy this trip!
M*A*W also arranged for a limo ride to the airport, handy-cap van rental in FL, accommodations (will get to that in a minute), food, tickets to Disney/Sea World and even allowed us a day at Discovery Cove (swim w/ the dolphins).
M*A*W has a hotel all their own called "Give Kids the World". I was worried there would be sick children everywhere, NO WAY!!! They have two restaurants, ice cream parlor (open 14 house a day), Arcade, Basketball courts, Merry-go-round,small child size riding train and remote-control-boat area, Putt Putt, playground, pools, Movie theater, did I mention ICE CREAM PARLOR!?!?!? (Grant only had ice cream twice a day for 6 days in a row! WHY NOT!!!) They also had events planned daily for those who wound up sick or couldn't handle the parks all day. Give Kids the World was an amazing "resort" for M*A*W children and their families. A very special place on earth with a great story of the man who started it all! Please take the time and read about this extraordinary man, Heni Landwirth!!!
