Brave Natasha enjoys magical holiday to Disneyland in Florida

Brave Natasha enjoys magical holiday to Disneyland in Florida

19 December 2018

TEN year-old Ballygowan girl Natasha Falls got to experience Disney’s Christmas magic during a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to the famous theme park in Florida.

She and her family returned from the trip last Tuesday which was made possible by the national charity, Caudwell Children.

Natasha was born with a number of complex medical conditions which have left her immobile and non-verbal.

A pupil at Tor Bank School in Dundonald, she spent a great amount of time in and out of hospital. She was in constant pain due to abnormal peristalsis and a blockage in the bowel, which required surgery.

She was accompanied on the trip by her mum, Natalie, her eight year-old brother, Reuben, and Natalie’s carer Dyann Troupe.

Natalie said: “With Natasha spending the majority of her time in hospital, her brother had to spend a lot of time away to be looked after by his grandmother, so the fact that the holiday allowed Natasha to have more time to bond with her brother was amazing.

“The trip created special memories for us all to cherish as a family, and having the chance to spend quality time together was brilliant.”

The dream holiday was funded and operated by the Caudwell Children that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families.

“Natasha and the family had a wonderful time on their dream holiday,” said Mark Bushell from the charity.

“She’s had a tough few years as at one stage her mum was faced with the decision to either start palliative care with Natasha, or allow her to undergo surgery which had a one in five chance of survival.”  

To get some much-needed respite from Natasha’s condition, Natalie decided to apply for a place for her on Caudwell Children’s annual Destination Dreams holiday to Disney World in Florida.

The charity created Destination Dreams in 2007 to give 25 children, with life threatening conditions, the opportunity to experience a ‘dream’ holiday to Disney World.

The charity is urging parents of children with life limiting conditions to apply for a place on next year’s trip.

Mark added: “The charity is also appealing for donations to allow us to take more children and young people, like Natasha, on our Destination Dreams respite holiday in 2019.”

For further information and to donate visit: www.caudwellchildren.com.