Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo
“No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true.”
- Cinderella
An amazing surprise during Penn’s birthday week. A Make-a-Wish trip to Orlando!
Before I write about our Disney/Universal/Orlando experience, I have to start at the very beginning. How we became one of the first families in western Canada to fly post COVID to Disneyworld through Make-a-Wish Canada.
When Penn had her tumour recurrence in March, her oncologist encouraged us to travel. Now was the time to do it as a family. Due to Penn’s medical needs, we applied through Make-a-Wish Canada to take Penn to Disneyland. It was the only bucket list item left for her to fulfill and we were hoping we could help her achieve it. We soon found out, that due to COVID, international travel was not allowed however, domestic trips were being approved. We decided to fill out the application anyway and see where it would take us. Before we knew it, Penn’s health spiralled and we found ourselves at Rotary Flames House. We decided not to submit our application and let Make-a-Wish know, we would not be seeking any requests. We thought our chance of one last family vacation was gone.
For those of you that have followed our family’s journey on the blog, Penn was able to leave Rotary Flames house on March 24 - twelve days after being admitted. Penn was placed on chemotherapy and her health stabilized. During Penn’s second chemo cycle, Sheldon and I decided we would try to make that one last trip as a family of four. If we can’t go to Disneyland, perhaps we could take the girls back to Victoria, B.C to go whale watching again (another one of Penn’s bucket list items). When we reached out to Make-a-Wish, they advised us international travel was about to open again to Canadian families. I realized this was Penn’s chance to finally meet Cinderella, in Disneyland. We submitted the application and advised the coordinator we would be obtaining her passport as soon as possible.
Penn celebrating her fourth birthday (May 2021). Penn wore her Cinderella dress to one of her radiation appointments.
The next day after we submitted our Make-a-Wish application, we got Penn’s passport photos. Obtaining Penn’s passport was a tedious process. It took three trips to the passport office, but they were able to process her documents for pick-up the following day. I advised Make-a-Wish our whole family had all of our travel documents if we were approved for a wish.
Two weeks after our application was submitted, we were advised that Penn would be granted a wish! One of their coordinators will be in touch with us shortly so they could meet Penn. At around the same time, Penn’s health started to decline. She was becoming less mobile and had frequent naps. When our lovely coordinator Matthew got in touch with us, I sadly told him, “I don’t think we can proceed. Penn is not doing great these days and I’m doubtful she would have the energy to meet you and discuss her dreams and wishes.”
Two days later (May 25 at around 4:00 pm), Matthew calls me. He discussed at length with Penn’s oncologist that they really want to grant her wish of meeting Cinderella in Disney. They were going to make it happen. For families with critically ill children, they don’t send them to Disneyland, they send them to Disneyworld. We learned that they are better equipped in Orlando to host families. I started crying immediately. We were going!! We are actually going to fulfill Penn’s dream!
Penn loves and adores her big sister Paige. This trip was not only for Penn but for the two of them to experience together. Penn wanted Paige to meet Mickey Mouse on her seventh birthday, her favourite Disney character. And Matthew made it all happen. When I told the girls their fairy godfather (aka Matthew from Make-a-Wish) was taking us to Disney they were so excited. In 48 hours we frantically set up Penn’s emergency medications, sought approval for Penn’s aunt to accompany us (our medical caregiver), took COVID tests and packed. It was a gong show but Make-a-Wish made everything go so smoothly and took care of absolutely everything. The night before we left for Orlando, I only slept 2.5 hours but I felt great and well rested. A huge thank you to our family who helped us pack, shop and get ready to fly in two days!
Sister love. Photo taken July 7, 2020
We went from not flying internationally in nearly five years to travelling to the most magical place on Earth, with COVID restrictions, while Penn was in between chemotherapy cycles. Thank you Make-a-Wish for granting Penn’s final wish. Dreams really do come true. Because of you, she has completed her bucket list. We know there are thousands of other families waiting for their wish(es) to be granted. Wishes are only possible for those that donate and support this amazing organization. Please consider donating to Make-a-Wish Canada.
On our way to meet Cinderella and Mickey Mouse - dated May 28, 2022
“Be kind, have courage and always believe in a little magic.”
- Cinderella