Dreamflight takes children living with a wide range of illnesses and conditions on a 10-day trip to Orlando, where the support of a dedicated team of medical volunteers allows them to enjoy experiences they might not otherwise have the chance to.
For one child in this year’s Dolphin group, a rare and incredibly painful genetic condition could have meant missing out on the fun shared by the other children.
Kira, aged 11, lives with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as butterfly skin, a condition that makes her skin extremely fragile where even the slightest knock or friction can cause it to blister and tear. Everyday activities like swimming can be painful and difficult due to the many dressings on her arms and legs.
Thanks to a funding grant from DEBRA UK, a charity that supports people affected by EB and funds research into treatments and cures, the Dreamflight team provided Kira with a special dry suit. This meant that Kira was able to take part in the water-based activities alongside her new friends in Orlando.
Kira’s volunteer guide, Zena, said:
“Having the dry suit allowed Kira to swim in the hotel pool, float down the lazy river at Typhoon Lagoon, and experience the unforgettable thrill of swimming with Dolphins at Discovery Cove. Without the dry suit, Kira may have missed out on these opportunities, or had to spend time afterwards having her dressings change – this can be a long and painful experience, and would have meant time away from her group and other activities.”
From doctors and nurses to physiotherapists, the Dreamflight volunteer team is over 400-strong, bringing together a wide range of expertise. This incredible skill set means that almost any challenge or barrier can be overcome, allowing every child to fully enjoy the trip.
Dolphin Group Leader at Dreamflight, Jo Ridley-Moore, said:
“It was a privilege to have Kira in the Dolphins group. We have not had a child with this particular condition in our group before, but with guidance from her nursing team we were able to fully support her. Kira herself took charge of her own care throughout the journey. She is an amazing, inspirational young lady!”
Shamaila Zaidi, Head of Community Support at DEBRA, said:
“We are so pleased that DEBRA’s limited edition grants, which offers people living with all forms of EB new experiences and distractions from living with the condition, has enabled Kira to enjoy this wonderful, once in lifetime opportunity. Thank you to Dreamflight and your team for making this possible.”
Dreamflight is committed to making sure every child feels included, celebrated, and free to enjoy the adventure, creating memories that last a lifetime.
Click here to read more about DEBRA, the butterfly skin charity.