Aria’s Dream Come True
Aria’s Dream Update!
Sweet princess Aria’s Dream came true because of generous support like yours!
Aria’s Disney Dream Update - A letter from a Dream Parent
Aria has always been our little princess - we kind of always knew Disney would be her Dream Come True. Aria is non-verbal because of her illness, so she communicates with sounds, smiles, blinks, and other reactions. When we were helping her choose her Dream, we went over things she likes with her. Disney always got the most reaction. When we would talk about Disney princesses, she couldn’t stop smiling! We knew Disney was her top choice.
Pictured: Aria, her sister (and Dream Kids!) Brie, and brother Cole at the Give Kids the World Village.
With the help of our amazing team of doctors, we were able to make sure Aria could safely travel. The doctors weren’t exactly sure how air travel would go, and there were a lot of medications to organize and special strollers and wheelchairs to prepare. With the support of The Dream Factory, our medical team, and the wonderful folks at the Give Kids the World Village, everything was ready for our trip and when we arrived in Florida!
When we arrived, we knew our week was going to be busy - there was so much stuff we could do! And I mean, it almost got a little overwhelming at some points. You're like, where do I go? Do I want to do this today? Oh my gosh, do I want to do Disney today? Or do I want to stay at The Village because there's so much to do - like going to the all-day ice cream parlour (that was Brie’s favourite!), the pool, and so much more! Basically, you could have spent the whole week just in the Village doing all the things that they had planned. It was hard to decide where you wanted to go because there were so many options!
On the days we ventured to Disney, we were amazed by was how accessible it was for kids like Aria. So many rides were wheelchair accessible and for many of the other rides, I was able to hold Aria so we could enjoy the rides and attractions as a family. The ‘Frozen’ ride was one of Aria’s favourites, and our special passes allowed us to go right to the front of the lines. The whole family had an absolute blast!
“We would have never been able to give her - and our whole family - these amazing memories without you, Give Kids the World, and our doctors. Aria’s Dream Trip is something we will never forget.”
Aria is also a huge fan of Peppa Pig, and between The Dream Factory and Give Kids the World, we were able to get a van rental and venture off to a Peppa Pig theme park close by! Aria was in her element. She was so happy. The Peppa Pig park actually just opened before we arrived, Aria’s Dream trip came at such a perfect time for her!
It was so hard to leave, because Disney really is magical. When we're at home, there are constantly different problems that come up with Aria’s health. But at Disney, everyone was just so happy. Aria did amazing - there was like never a time where we're like ‘oh man like here comes an effect of rare disease’. She truly did perfect - both at the park and during our flights. There really is power in a Dream Come True.
We would have never been able to give her - and our whole family - these amazing memories without you, Give Kids the World, and our doctors. Aria’s Dream Trip is something we will never forget.
From all of us here at The Dream Factory - thank you for helping make Aria’s Dream a reality! We would also like to send out a HUGE thank you to the folks who organized and took part in the Dream Ride in support of Aria and Brie’s Dreams!