Thoughts
The trip that changed our lives.......
by Emma Hazlewood on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 9:33am
I know I have talked about it a lot. I know that I have shared our story with so many different people. But this morning as I was looking at the videos and pictures from the 2011 Ace and TJ's Grin Kids trip, I was thrown right back into the nervous excited energy of our OWN trip last year. The trip that literally changed our lives.
I know everyone on my friends' list knows that I have two amazingly special boys who bring joy to my life every single day. And that I have always tried to not let their challenges get in our way. But, even though we had done aquarium trips and trips to local bigger cities, or to see family, I realize now that I was terrified of our limitations. My kids can't just got on a plane and fly around. They can't do rides and what not. Heck, we had a hard time on the carousel at the Mall. Traveling is hard. Wheelchairs, feeding tubes, seizures, blah blah...*shivers thinking about it all*...I wanted so much for them to be able to do "normal things" and tried in so many ways, but knew that they would never really be able to experience all of the things that they deserved to experience because it would be just too hard. They could never handle it!
But, enter Ace and TJ Grin Kids. Can I explain to you how amazing this group actually is? Do you know what it's like to have people STARE at your child and seem afraid of them because they are different? Yea, it's not easy. People don't talk to my kids like they do other kids because they are afraid of mine. My kids don't talk back. My kids are just "different" and it pains me when I see the looks of fear, confusion, curiousity, pity, and sometimes disgust on people's faces. (*remembers back two year ago and their trick or treating experience and how rude so many people were* *sighs*) But, the Ace and TJ group changed everything for us. When Mrs. Barb called us and told us that we were going to DISNEY WORLD, I didn't believe her. Oddly enough, I kept asking her what the catch was. And when I figured out that this was real, I cried and cried and cried. Oh how embarrassing looking back on it. But the nerves started to get the best of me of how this was really going to work. But next thing we knew...it was time to go! Whether we were ready or not!!!!
We drove to South Carolina the day before the flights were leaving, since Ace and TJ are from there and got to stay in a comfortable hotel. And the next morning as we head to the airport, we were greeted by people who were jumping to help us and already knew my kids names! I was able to actually give Mrs. Barb a hug and see that this was going to be a reality. And my kids were already excited! Both boys grinning from ear to ear. And when we got to the gate, there was a sensory overload for Mommy but nothing but joy from the boys! Mascots and people and even Santa Claus there to greet you and send you off on a trip of a lifetime! And before we boarded the plane, they lined up all of the mascots and employees and volunteers into two lines, and called us down. The first family to be called and we were so terrified. But as we were walking through the people, people applauded. Give us high fives. People APPLAUDED my kids! Do you know what THAT feels like when you've never experienced it?
Yea...we felt so special! And we got to fly on the Carolina Panther's private plane to Orlando...and we we landed, two firetrucks were waiting on either side of the plane hosing it down. Which in case you are wondering, is traditionally used when a captain of a plane is retiring and it's his final flight OR sometimes when a dignitary is on board. So imagine how amazing THAT felt!
Let's not even talk about the fact that my kids FLEW ON A PLANE for the first time ever and never ONCE complained! They made it look so easy! So though I'd flown, Adam and the boys were experiencing it for the first time together and I started to wonder what I had been freaking out about all this time. Because they were acting like old pros! Ok, so back to the special treatment.)
As we loaded the buses waiting on us, we got a POLICE ESCORT to the hotels! Everything was so amazing! We were able to stay at a nice hotel and every day was something different. The first night we ate at Epcot with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Goofy! And see an amazing fireworks show that literally made Jonathan happier than I've seen him in a long time at that point.
The second day was a fun filled trip to the Magic Kingdom and I remember literally crying as we saw Cinderella's Castle. (When my parents took my brother and I to Disney Land as kids, my mom walked in and looked around and with tears in her eyes said..."I have waited 45 years to see this." And in that moment, as we rounded the corner and there was the castle, I finally understood exactly what she meant) Each day, we spent "X" amount of time with the Grin Kids group. With the staff and amazing other families, doing certain activities before we would venture off on our own. And it was the most amazing feeling. Seeing these other families who probably felt the way I did...the overcoming fear of these kinds of trips...coming to life before our very eyes. And seeing the kids thrive and smile!
Here we began to actually experience what it was like to put these children on RIDES which I thought was impossible! Everyone at Disney World was SO SO kind and helpful. And next thing we knew...my kids were literally riding rides, just like everyone else! AND LOVING IT! I mean LOVING IT! We were so afraid! They do have some rides that they boys can stay in their wheelchairs, but we did a lot of transferring and just let them sit next to us in the seats and both worked out great! They LOVED IT!
The third day was the Animal Kingdom! Where they got to see the Lion King show and meet the cast afterwards. :) And we later went to see the Finding Nemo show as well which was amazing. And it was this day that we knew that my kids were daredevils. Adam and I were careful picking rides at the Magic Kingdom...Nothing too rough, right? My kids don't have the best trunk control, they can't handle more...right? *rolls eyes* WRONG! They handled DINOSAUR! I don't know if you have ever ridden Dinosaur, but it is CRAZY bumpy and in the complete dark and whips you around. Adam and I were holding onto the boys for dear life thinking they would never survive this ride. And when it was over, I looked up to Adam who was holding Jonathan in a bear hug and know that I am doing the same thing to Will and wondering what sort of damage they have gotten (because we couldn't see them or hear if they were screaming) and they are both laughing. Adam and I look horrified and scared and pale white and now sore from bracing ourselves to protect this innocent little boys...yea right...they laughed the entire time! And laughed for 30 minutes AFTER the ride. They are a LOT tougher than I gave them credit for!!!
Who knew???
And the last day was Hollywood Studios!
We got to see more shows and eat great food! Ride more rides! It was all amazing!
And every night, when we returned to our room, we would find so many surprises on the bed! The boys got so so so many gifts that it was like Christmas EVERY DAY we were there!
There is no way to explain how at every turn of the corner, you feel like your family is important. You feel normal. You don't feel judged. And how amazing it is to know that everyone else sees how AMAZING and SPECIAL your kids are and treat them that way!
The trip home was very bittersweet. Adam and I didn't want to come home but we knew that our house was better than sharing a room with the boys. :) (They are loud) But leaving such an amazing environment was tough. We met amazing people. People we will never ever forget.
People we know have no real clue what they have done for us. What they have done for me, as the mother of these amazing boys. The cast of Ace and TJ's morning show, Mrs. Barb, Jodi, my LOVELY Pam (who I wish to see again soon)...all of them took the time to make us feel like we were something. That we meant something to this world and deserved something so great! They made us feel like the boys were not just a disability but KIDS! Every day normal kids.
This opportunity made us see that the sky is really our limit. That my boys can hop on a plane. Can go to amusement parks. That as long as we are willing to MAKE it happen, it can! We don't have to be chained down by a wheelchair? We don't have to just do the local stuff that's within an hour two drive! We can go to DISNEY WORLD!
And it is because of this trip that Adam and I decided to take another trip this year! So in 13 days, we are loading the boys up and going BACK to Orlando to visit Universal Studios! We will have another 4 days of fun! Another new adventure! And yes, we are actually PAYING for this trip! :D But it wasn't hard to save the money all year long to make it fantastic! We started planning and saving as soon as we got back from Disney World last year. (We were there from Oct. 1-5th, 2010)...So it's been ONE YEAR since our trip! And luckily this time, we will get to stay in a 3 bedroom condo. :)
But it was truly Grin Kids that opened up this opportunity for us. And as I see the kids who just returned from their trip, I know that they understand the excitement that I feel, even one year later! It's something you never get over! And for all of the people who donated and helped and made that trip possible, I wish I could thank you all individually. We may not have been all over the pictures, videos, or the most outspoken family in our group...my kids cannot talk. But I wish all of them could see and hear the laughter. The fun...the joy. And that was given to them by all of those people who made it possible. I am so blessed. My kids' lives and mine and Adam's will never be the same and look to so many more adventures to come! I know that those people must get tired of being thanked all of the time, even by me as I do it a lot. But, they really don't get the lives they change. So they deserve every single one of them.
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