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Disney dream

Katie Fitzpatrick
5/ 7/2008

A TEN-year-old boy with a degenerative illness has been granted his wish of a dream holiday to Disney World in Florida.

Kye Waldron, from Spotland, suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a serious genetic condition causing gradual muscle degeneration.

The Meanwood Primary School pupil is gradually losing his mobility and requires constant care from his mother Rebecca.

The national children’s charity Caudwell Children is taking Kye, Rebecca, 35, her partner Paul Harrison, 26, and Kye's sisters Hayley, 15 and Casey, four, to the Florida theme park for seven days as part of their annual Destination Dreams campaign, a carefully planned trip for children with degenerative illnesses.

The family’s daily life is filled with medical appointments and treatment.

But now their dreams are set to come true as the charity have accepted their application to join 40 families at the world famous Disney resort in November.

The carefully-planned trip is specifically designed for children with a high medical dependency, which often makes any travel impossible.

A team of charity staff, volunteers, paramedics and doctors will assist the family on the trip to ensure the family has a respite from the stresses of constant care, create some happy memories of being together and potentially aid Kye’s health.

Rebecca said: "He is so excited about the trip and when I told him he burst out laughing.

"Until now Florida and Disney World was just somewhere you saw on TV and dreamed of visiting. This trip will give us all memories that we will be able to treasure.

"We are looking forward to taking lots of pictures and we will be loading up the camcorder."

Trudi Beswick, chief executive officer for Caudwell Children, said: "The emotional and physical strain families with seriously ill or disabled children are under is often incomprehensible; this seven- day break allows them time together as a family in a happy environment with the medical support they require.

"We now hope to give Kye a great experience and provide the family with some wonderful memories of this time together."