In 2003, Bert’s Big Adventure took seven children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families on the journey of a lifetime to Walt Disney World. As a measure of safety, as well as to provide comfort to these families, Dr. Michelle Presley joined the team to provide medical consult if needed. Since then, Bert’s Big Adventure has grown to include more families each year and also more medical staff to accommodate our expanding troop. Dr. Tom McQuail and nurse Cathy Robinson joined the team in the following years.
To date, more than 160 families from six different states have taken this trip and become part of the Bert’s Big Adventure family. Having been there since the beginning, the medical staff is an integral part of our family. Here, Magical Moments writer, David Crawford, joins Dr. Michelle, Dr. Tom, and Nurse Cathy in conversation to discuss why they’ve collectively given so much of their own time over the years to this one particular cause.
How long have you guys been involved with Bert’s Big Adventure?
Dr. Michelle: I’ve been with them since the beginning. Trip number one.
Dr. Tom: Since the second trip.
Nurse Cathy: My first trip was in 2005, so I started on the third trip. Dr. Michelle called me a couple weeks before and said they needed a nurse. I rearranged my schedule to go, fell in love with the whole program, and have been involved ever since!
What has kept you with Bert’s Big Adventure all these years?
Dr. Michelle: The kids are the reason I stay with Bert’s Big Adventure. You guys know that Bert’s Big Adventure finds the 
coolest, most awesome, sweetest, most deserving kids in the entire country to take on this trip. They unconditionally love and give the best hugs.
Nurse Cathy: The Bert’s Big Adventure kids have taught me the most important things in life. It is not where you live, or what you own, but rather about family, love, smiles, hugs, best friends and living in the moment.
Dr. Tom: Well, I think Bert’s Big Adventure is one of those rare opportunities you have in life to participate in a group whose sole purpose is to change people’s lives.
Well said—I couldn’t agree more. So you guys do all the medical work. How would you say Bert’s Big Adventure is magical?
Dr. Michelle: At Disney World, our kids are always the healthiest bunch of sick kids I have ever met; it’s the magic of Bert’s Big Adventure and Disney. Bert’s Big Adventure is family. I could no more walk away from Bert’s Big Adventure than I could my own family.
Nurse Cathy: Bert and Stacey have created something very magical and special: a huge extended family that I feel so privileged to be a part of.
Dr. Tom: And the reunions are like coming home to visit your favorite relatives and being surrounded by love.
Any final thoughts about your time and experiences with Bert’s Big Adventure?
Dr. Tom: I truly get more from all the Bert’s Big Adventure families than I could ever give back!
Nurse Cathy: Every day, I am truly grateful for the gift of being part of Bert’s Big Adventure. Thanks to Bert and Stacey for being the kind of people who have really impacted the lives of others. I certainly hope to be a part of Bert’s Big Adventure as long as they want me!
Dr. Michelle: Bert promised me after the first trip that the job was mine as long as I wanted it. I’m going to hold him to that!
