Dreamlift to Disney with the Sunshine Foundation!

Tuesday, April 24,2012. At 3am, Ottawa International Airport was buzzing with the promise of no ordinary day: the opening scene for what would be an amazing experience for 76 physically challenged and seriously ill children in the national capital area. A year in the planning, the Sunshine Foundation of Canada had raised the funds to send these kids to Disney World in Florida. Every kid's dream. For these children, daily life is about medical appointments, special needs and challenges that become routine for themselves and their loving families. On this day, it was all about one thing, and one thing only: FUN. Big giant tons of good old fashioned FUN. I was thrilled to tag along for the ride. Each kid was matched up with a 'buddy'. Many had only met each other the night before - 'buddies' included CHEO medical staff, RCMP staff, and regular everyday big-hearted people. For most of the kids, even going on the plane was a 'first', and moments after take-off, the entire cabin erupted in cheers and applause. Moments after landing, the Sunshine Foundation's Orlando volunteers greeted us on the tarmac. Wheelchairs, special needs, every last detail was handled with ease as the kids and escorts boarded buses and we were off to the Magic Kingdom on a gorgeous sunny day. Mathieu Gagnon and Colby Audette didn't let their wheelchairs slow them down one bit. Together with their escorts Mireille Choquette and Timothy Diebel, Mathieu and Colby posed for the group photo just inside Disney's entrance, and the giant sign 'Let the Memories Begin'. With my backpack filled with camera and video gear, I joined my new friends and off we went. Space Mountain was first, followed by the Buzz Lightyear Ride, the Racetrack... Mathieu and Colby were having the time of their lives. Their escorts Mireille and Timothy were going to oblige every single request from these boys, from the rides to the junk food- not one thing was going to be denied this day at the Magic Kingdom. Throughout the day, I wandered through the park, catching up on stories with Dreamlift kids and volunteers- all of which were easy to spot with the bright yellow t-shirts, tucked into the rides at Splash Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean, or enjoying giant ice cream cones and lollipops while watching the Disney parade. Disney staff ensured that there were no line-ups for these kids - which I thought was extremely cool - it was all about having the most fun possible! Big smiles, a few sunburned noses, stuffed toys and Mickey Mouse ears, the kids were beaming at the end of the day. The volunteers were happy, but exhausted- somehow the kids still had energy to spare as we headed back to the airport. An experience these kids will never forget. And the same goes for me. Sheer joy! Thank you to all who donate to the Sunshine Foundation of Canada- including the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association and the Automotive Recyclers of Canada, who sponsored this Dreamlift trip. For more information about how to get involved, or to make a donation, www.sunshine.ca