DOLPHINS! DOLPHINS! DOLPHINS!

Hi,

So remember a few months back I mentioned I was going on a holiday to Florida with a charity called dreamflight (they take children with life changing disabilities and illnesses to the theme parks of Orlando for ten days without their parents)  yeahhhhh so that happened......eeeeeekkkkkkkkk....

I came back a few days ago so I'm still jet lagged, so apologies if if this post doesn't make any sense!! 

What to talk about first????! I know the highlights! 

For me, and probably most of the other 191 (192 including me) VICs (Very Important Children) one of the biggest highlights was swimming with dolphins. It was an phenomenal experience - from touching/stroking them (they feel like rubber if you ever wanted to know, think of hard boiled eggs, same texture) to being able to watch the other kids in your group, of whom the majority of wouldn't shut up about how excited about it since the coach journey down to Heathrow, swim with Cindy (Cindy was our dolphin) and feeling sooo happy for them, to then swimming with one for myself with the BIGGEST grin on my face cause we were all buzzing for eachother. It was truly amazing and one of the best days ever! And being in the Dolphin group made it just that much more perfect. The only downside to that day was getting in and out of a wetsuit....I swear I'm never putting myself or anyone else through that EVER again. 

Another highlight was the early morning and after park swims we had. I know the idea of waking up at 6 am to go swimming isn't that appealing to most back home, but when you are there and it's already like 20 degrees outside in a heated pool underneath the stars watching the sun rise it makes it the best time to be awake, especially when the pool was practically empty. What made it even better was that former DF child Paralympic swimmer Liz Johnson was sitting with pool patrol most mornings and as she has practically the same type of Cerebral palsy to me she helped me improve my technique so I stopped going round in circles. I'm no Paralympian that's for sure but I definitely gain confidence and that's one of the many goals of dreamflight.

The funny thing is that I never expected it to have such an dramatic affect on me, I thought could just get on with normal life after being dropped off at the coach station and I wouldn't cry as we said goodbye to people from our group who left at Heathrow airport to go home. But I did cry and I haven't stopped thinking about dreamflight since I got home. It's so wonderful and strange how attached to people over ten days.

I have so many thank yous to say to everyone from the Dolphins group. 

Firstly to my Escort/carer for the trip, Ellie. Thank you for everything you do and for giving up your time to help the Dolphin kids like me for ten days. I know I've already said this in person but  thank you for having the patience and heart to take me and my roommate under your wing (or maybe more appropriately 'fin' -since we are dolphins) and supporting us so that we could have the best ten days possible without having to worry about our conditions and stuff like that, I know we are both missing your random dancing and cuddles already xxx 

Jo, dolphin leader, this couldn't have been as awesome a trip without your years of dreamflight experience. Everyone knew what to do and from a kid's perspective everything seemed to just flow (as a said before I'm still jet lagged I know this doesn't make sense!)

All the American helpers, you guys are awesome, as you would say. I don't think someone of you realise how important your volunteering is to how this charity operates from pushing wheelchairs to decorating the hotel, without your time and contributions the holiday would have been so much less lively and less fun for everyone. All the Americans that helped the Dolphins I will never forget you. thank you for all your support and for bringing so many smiles to everyone's faces.

The BA crew, Leanna and Claire, you both are incredible! I really can't put in to words the gratitude I think every single Dolphin kid has for you. From the hugs and hot chocolates to being on pool patrol and doing your real job of looking after us on the plane journeys, you did it in such style and you can just tell you are such kind and considerate people from the smiles on both your faces. I would have never have guessed how big your roles would be within the group but the both of you were as caring for me and my Roommate as Ellie was, and that really surprised me. Also side note: you were  both so good at putting on my leg brace and I was very impressed by that as well xxx

Finally Pat (founder of dreamflight): 

I just want to say a big thank you to you for starting up a charity which over its 30 years has impacted so many people's lives. I have learnt things about myself over the ten days that I would never have realised if it wasn't for dreamflight and I have met so many amazing people and friends whom I will never forget sharing once in a lifetime experiences with. Thank you for dreamflight; it's boosted my confidence and self-believe and I hope it carries on to change people's lives for another 30 years. Thank you . 

I can't believe it's actually finished, dreamflight 30 is over, the best days I've had in forever are done;I won't see my dolphins til March time *sad face*  BUT roll on the reunion! 

It was an extraordinary trip. At some point I will be doing something to fundraise for this awesome charity but in the meantime here is the link to find out more:

http://www.dreamflight.org

Byeeeeeeee