 Three years ago when we started to conceptualize Bert’s Big Adventure we only dreamed of the impact that this trip could have on children with chronic illnesses and their families. We knew that getting the entire family out of their routine and putting them in the most magical place on earth, Walt Disney World, could be, well, magical.
Two trips later, with the help of The Bert Show radio-listening community, our dreams have completely been realized! Let me share some of the moments from Bert’s Big Adventure that best capture what this trip means to these families.
I’ve seen the most introverted kids become alive with life when interacting with other kids on the trip. I’ve seen parents cry when watching their wheelchair-bound child challenge himself to enjoy the thrill of being in a swimming pool for the first time. I’ve seen the despair in parents faces eliminated when they watch their child belly laugh for the first time in years. I’ve heard the group laughter of children being the center of attention as the world waved back when they were Grand Marshall’s in the Walt Disney World parade. I’ve seen the wide-eyed amazement from children staring into the eyes of characters they’ve only seen in movies and books. I’ve seen the impact of what the gift of time can do to families that are constantly pressured wondering when their worst fears will be realized.
When you take a peak into the daily lives of the families dealing with children that have chronic or terminal illnesses you can understand why one, expense-free weekend at Walt Disney World is so impactful. Their daily lives include fighting with the transporting of wheelchairs, watching their child exhausted after another round of chemotherapy, the strain of being sure the proper pills are being taken at the right time or the uncertainty of knowing if they can pay the enormous doctors bills.
Bert’s Big Adventure simply takes these families away from the daily routine of stress and provides intimate time where for a few short moments their focus isn’t on a doctor but it turns to Mickey Mouse. The sight of another hospital is replaced by Cinderella’s castle. The wearing of a medical gown is replaced by putting on glass slippers. Pain turns into laughter.
Thank you so much for continuing to make this miraculous weekend a reality.
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