Liz’s story

Posted on 11 Jun 2026

“If I was to describe a Dreamflight trip, I would say that it’s complete, wonderful madness”

Liz is a team leader in community children’s nursing, based in Scotland. She has been a nurse for over 34 years and a Dreamflight volunteer for nine.

Liz was introduced to Dreamflight through her work and she began nominating children for Dreamflight’s Orlando holidays. Seeing the confidence children gained post-trip and hearing what the experience meant to them, stayed with her. Although she wasn’t able to volunteer at the time, she always hoped she would one day.

In 2017, that moment came and Liz joined Dreamflight as a volunteer. Experiencing the Orlando trip from the inside for the first time, she quickly realised how special it is.

“Unless you’ve been on a Dreamflight trip, you cannot imagine what it’s going to be like. You become part of something truly unique, something that is fully encompassing and immersive. It engages every part of you, shaping not only your experience in the moment but leaving a lasting impact on your perspective and values. It’s not just an experience you take part in; it’s something you feel deeply, something that stays with you long after the trip is over.

If I was to describe a Dreamflight trip, I would say that it’s complete, wonderful madness. It’s an unforgettable assault on the senses. The energy is constant, the pace is relentless, and the atmosphere is filled with noise and colour. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. You will never laugh as much. You will never have as much fun. You will never cry as much. And you will never be as tired as you are during and after a Dreamflight trip.”

“We are all very clear on the goal, on why we are there as volunteers: to ensure the children and young people have a holiday of a lifetime”

For Liz, what stood out just as much as the trip itself was the team around her and their strong sense of shared purpose.

“You quickly become part of something much bigger than yourself. It’s the dedication, the compassion, the teamwork. There are no egos. There’s no ‘that’s not my job’. We are all very clear on the goal, on why we are there as volunteers: to ensure the children and young people have a holiday of a lifetime.”

During her time as a volunteer for Dreamflight, one of the most impactful aspects for Liz has been witnessing how the children begin to see themselves differently and their shift in mindset from limitations to possibilities.

“Seeing the confidence they develop, the friendships they make that will last a lifetime, being away from their parents and perhaps taking responsibility for their condition in a way they’ve never done before.

It’s about connection, being with others who are on a similar journey. As a guide, you help give them the confidence to try new things. Watching them grow and seeing them bloom is just incredible. The difference the trip makes in their lives is truly remarkable.”

“It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be involved. When I come home after a trip, I feel like my heart is full and my soul is nourished”

Nine years on, Dreamflight continues to shape Liz both personally and professionally. The experience has influenced how she communicates with children and how she leads her team.

“Professionally, this experience has significantly strengthened and deepened my approach to both clinical care and leadership. It has reinforced the importance of truly holistic practice, moving beyond a focus on clinical care and medical needs alone to understanding and supporting each child as a whole person.

It has also shaped how I lead my team. Observing and being part of high functioning, compassionate teamwork has highlighted the impact of trust, shared purpose, and mutual support. I actively strive to embed these principles within my own team, fostering a culture where collaboration, respect, and collective responsibility underpin the delivery of safe, high-quality care.”

While the professional impact on Liz is clear, the personal significance is just as powerful.

“It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be involved. When I come home after a trip, I feel like my heart is full and my soul is nourished. For me, Dreamflight has been deeply transformative, it’s profoundly meaningful.

I would wholeheartedly encourage others to volunteer with Dreamflight. It is an amazing and truly unique experience that not  only makes a difference to the children, but will also change you as a person in ways you don’t expect.”

Lucas’ story

Posted on 02 Apr 2026

Growing up with DMD

Lucas is 9 years old and lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a progressive condition that causes muscles to weaken over time. It shapes every part of his daily life. Tasks that other children take for granted require extra effort, and Lucas now relies on his wheelchair to get through each day.

As Lucas has grown older, he has become more aware of the differences between himself and his peers. Alongside the physical challenges, this awareness has brought anxiety. Being away from his parents is particularly difficult, and unfamiliar situations can feel overwhelming. His mum, Julia, said:

“Lucas’ condition impacts all of us. The life I imagined Lucas would have now looks very different. There’s been a grieving process, but we choose to live our lives to the fullest.”

A leap of faith

In 2025, Lucas’ physiotherapist, Jo, nominated him for the Dreamflight trip to Orlando. She understood how powerful the experience could be for him, especially at a time when life felt very heavy. Jo explains:

“This opportunity came at a time when his condition was progressing. With that comes a slow loss of confidence, independence, and the ability to join in with the things he used to enjoy.”

When Lucas’ mum found out that he had been selected, she had mixed emotions. She desperately wanted her son to experience the magic of the trip, but she also knew how much his separation anxiety might challenge him. The thought of sending him so far from home filled her with worry, until she met the Dreamflight team. She said:

“The second I met Connie, my mind was put at ease. I had full confidence that she would take care of him in the way I would, and that the team would look after all of his needs.”

Even so, when the day came to fly to Orlando, Lucas almost couldn’t go through with it.

“It really was touch and go whether they were going to get him on that plane. Lucas was begging me to come and pick him up. It was the hardest phone call of my life. I said, ‘I love you, I believe in you, I know you can do this – and if you do this, you can do anything in life.’ Then Connie called me from the plane, and I knew he was ok.”

“Sending your child away when they are distressed goes against every instinct. But no matter how difficult it is, our job as parents is to arm our children with the skills they need to navigate life.”

A new found independence

Once Lucas settled into the trip, something shifted. His separation anxiety began to ease, and he threw himself into the experience, supported every step of the way by the Dreamflight team.

“Whilst we only had the pleasure of being with Lucas for 10 days, we were able to ensure he packed weeks, months and years of fun, laughter and great experiences into his suitcase home. The concept of a trip away from his family was initially overwhelming for Lucas, but with great support from his Mum before we left and the bond he formed with his Nurse Guide Connie on the trip he was a true star in the Goofy Group. This is why Dreamflight exists and it was a pleasure to see Lucas have the true VIC (Very Import Child) experience with us!” – Stewart, Goofy Group Leader

When Lucas returned home, his mum noticed the change in him. His wellbeing had improved and he was more confident. He asked for smaller bottles of milk so that he could continue making his own breakfasts, and she realised that he was more capable and willing to take on everyday tasks.

“Before he went, Lucas was really struggling with the differences between him and his peers, and his anxiety was sky high. After spending 10 days on Dreamflight, where he was an equal, he came back happier and lighter.”

We are now accepting nominations for both our UK and Orlando trips all year round. For full information and to nominate a child please head to our nomination page.

Elliot’s story

Posted on 29 Dec 2025

A difficult start to life

Elliot is 11 years old and was born with severe clubfoot and neuropathy, which weakens his lower limbs. Due to his neuropathy, Elliot gets extremely tired and finds physical activities difficult. He wears splints every day to help with mobility, but they can be quite restrictive.

Sadly, no conservative treatments were able to help with Elliot’s feet, so he had to undergo multiple surgeries, one when he was just 12 weeks old and two in 2023. Each surgery was followed by a slow and demanding rehabilitation.

“The surgeries had a big impact on Elliot; he had hours of physiotherapy to walk again, and there is further surgery planned.” – Elliot’s mum, Vicky

Early in 2024, Elliot’s physiotherapist decided to nominate him to go on Dreamflight. The following July, Elliot received his invitation to the holiday of a lifetime with the Donald Duck group, and he was over the moon. But panic set in when he realised his mum and dad weren’t going with him. He’d never been away without his parents before.

A priceless experience

Once in Florida, Elliot soon found his stride. He made friends, tried new things (including yummy churros) and even swam with dolphins.

“I was missing Mum and Dad, but the kind and caring volunteers helped me all the way. Susan was the best Mummy Duck.” – Elliot

One of Elliot’s proudest moments on his trip was performing ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ by Queen on stage, in front of over 400 children and volunteers at the ‘Dreamflight’s Got Talent’ night.

A new-found confidence

Back home, the transformation was clear. His performance on the Dreamflight stage gave Elliot the confidence to play the lead villain in his primary school leaver’s show. Elliot even joined a para-football team and qualified for the national championships in dressage with his horse, Harry.

Vicky also saw a positive change in Elliot. She shared:

“He is much more independent and can handle group situations better. Dreamflight has made a life-changing impact on our son. He is less anxious and more willing to try new things.”

“The experience is priceless. Our children are superheroes dealing with their illnesses or disabilities and deserve this opportunity of a lifetime.”

Inspired by the changes she’s seen in Elliot, Vicky has signed up to a 5k run to help more children experience the same life‑changing trip. Click here to help Vicky reach her £500 fundraising target.

Miriam’s story

Posted on 17 Oct 2025

A disrupted childhood

Miriam was nine when she was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome – a complex kidney disorder that requires ongoing care and monitoring. It came just months after her brother’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and whilst her stepdad was undergoing cancer treatment, meaning much of the family’s time was spent in hospitals, including birthdays and Christmas.

Miriam’s condition caused severe swelling, fatigue, and a higher risk of infections and blood clots. It took months to reach a diagnosis, and she endured years of steroid treatment, followed by chemotherapy when her body stopped responding.

“For me, the toughest part of the condition during my childhood was definitely being in hospital. It’s a hard place to be when you’re young.”

A welcome adventure

In 2005, aged 11, Miriam was nominated for a Dreamflight holiday – a year after her brother was lucky enough to go himself.

The 10-day trip gave Miriam a much-needed break from hospitals and appointments, and a chance to have fun and connect with children who were facing similar challenges. She made friends with South Asian girls her age. For the first time in a long time, Miriam felt a sense of belonging.

The incredible memories of the trip came back to Miriam last year, when she returned to Universal Studios, 19 years on from her Dreamflight holiday.

“It brought it all back – the sheer joy and excitement of being in a theme park like that. I saw The Hulk rollercoaster, which my wonderful guide Amanda pep-talked me into riding for a week straight!”

An empowered future

Miriam believes the time she spent on Dreamflight with children facing a wide range of disabilities and illnesses, and from all walks of life, gave her a level of empathy and confidence she wouldn’t have developed otherwise. Following her trip, she went on to volunteer with children with disabilities whilst at university.

“I felt so comfortable and confident doing that volunteering, which is undoubtedly because of my experiences during Dreamflight.” 

That sense of ease became the foundation for a career built on empathy and representation. Today, Miriam is Sky Sports’ first Diversity and Inclusion Reporter, and the founder of Brown Girl Sport, an online platform and community amplifying underrepresented voices in sport. She’s covered two Paralympic Games, interviewed icons such as Usain Bolt, and has won multiple awards for her compassionate reporting and the trust she builds with athletes.

“I don’t think I’d have ended up specialising in telling the stories of para-sport athletes and Paralympians without Dreamflight and the understanding and empathy it gave me. It’s had a long-lasting impact on my identity.”

Dreamflight brought a lot of joy to Miriam and her family at a time they needed it most. It gave them something wonderful to look forward to, something to talk about afterwards, and they still cherish those memories, 20 years on. Thankfully, Miriam is in remission.

If you know a child who could benefit from a Dreamflight holiday, we’d love to hear from you.