Malcolm's Dream Come True
Malcolm’s Dream
Dream Kid Malcolm left his birthplace of Churchill when he was a baby because of his illness. But recently, he visited his first home on his exciting dream trip!
Dream Kid Malcolm is a tough little guy with a cheerful smile that can light up the room. Born in Churchill, MB, Malcolm spent the first few months of his life growing and thriving. But after fighting what his family thought was at first a common flu, Malcolm’s health began to decline.
Malcolm’s parents took him to the ER and doctors began to investigate all of Malcolm’s health issues - constant vomiting, pain, and a mysterious red mark that appeared on his head. Before they knew it, Malcolm and his family were being flown down to Winnipeg and rushed to the Children’s Hospital.
“We packed an overnight bag with intentions to return to Churchill in the next few days with a healthy son,” Malcolm’s mom, Carolyn, shared. “We soon learned that we wouldn’t be seeing Churchill again for a LONG time. Eventually, we realized that Winnipeg was going to be home.”
Malcolm was diagnosed with Leukemia and almost immediately started chemotherapy. After about a week of treatment, Malcolm met with The Dream Factory and his journey as a Dream Kid began.
Pictured: Dream Kid Malcolm loves any and all outdoor activities!
Today, Malcolm is doing much better! He loves playing at different parks around Winnipeg and has a keen eye for adventure. One of Malcolm’s first words was “beluga” (bu-ga-ga), and he has always been drawn to this creature native to the place where he spent his first few months as a baby.
When asked what his Dream might be, it became apparent quite quickly that he would be heading back to his first home in Churchill. The prospect of travelling to a place that not only has belugas, but also has airplanes, helicopters, trains, and boats (some of Malcolm’s favourite things) had Malcolm beaming with excitement.
Leading up to his Dream trip, Malcolm visited the “Journey to Churchill” exhibit at the Assiniboine Park Zoo. Malcolm got a special VIP tour and even got to feed a polar bear!
Finally, it was time for Malcolm’s Dream Trip. This brave young fighter would be returning to his birthplace for the first time since he was brought to the hospital in Winnipeg.
Malcolm was greeted at the Churchill airport with signs and balloons to start his adventure. He and his family got to experience two beluga whale tours and both times the whales came right up to the boat! The family also had the chance to spend time with friends that they haven’t seen in a long time. It was an unforgettable trip!
“I have so many words for this trip, and yet all I can say is I’m ever so grateful,” Malcolm’s mom says. “We’re still processing everything we experienced in the best of ways, and I know we will all remember this trip for the rest of our lives!”