Ruthie’s story

Posted on 13 Aug 2026

A seed of possibility

Ruthie, 23, has hemiplegic cerebral palsy. It was during a hospital appointment when Ruthie was just a toddler that her mum, Ali, first heard about Dreamflight.

A nurse explained that Ruthie might one day be eligible for a trip to Orlando. For Ali, the idea felt almost impossible. At a time when many conversations focused on what Ruthie might not be able to do in the future, being told she could potentially travel to America without her family was both shocking and exciting. The conversation stayed with Ali, because as a disabled person herself, she immediately recognised that Dreamflight represented far more than a trip to Orlando.

“I knew then that was a symbol of something that was going to be able to help her experience her freedom, autonomy and agency as she became older.” – Ali

When Ruthie was invited on an Orlando trip in 2016, she was 13 and navigating a particularly challenging period in her life. Frequent appointments and surgeries meant she was often missing time with her peers, and she found it difficult to keep up with friends.

“I was going through the journey of becoming a disabled young adult and working out what my life was going to look like.” – Ruthie

The confidence to fly

Whenever Ruthie had been to disability groups before they didn’t feel like the right fit for her, so she was apprehensive walking into her first Dreamflight meeting. But that feeling didn’t last long. For the first time, Ruthie was surrounded by children who were just like her.

During the trip, Ruthie felt supported by volunteers in a way that removed barriers rather than reinforced them. Through small adaptations and encouragement, they helped her to take part in activities she thought were out of reach.

“I felt like, ‘Right, you really like going on these fast roller coasters, we’ll get you on there!’ I remember being in one of the water parks, getting up to the top of a slide and thinking, how on earth am I going to get down there on a rubber ring? And one of the American volunteers said, ‘Just hold on with your arm as best as you can. I’m going to hold onto you, and I promise you’re not going to go flying!’ It was little things like that that made it feel so supportive and so lovely.” – Ruthie

Ruthie also learnt to swim in Orlando after spending time with Paralympic swimmer and Dreamflight patron Liz Johnson. Liz first experienced Dreamflight as a child and now gives back to the charity by returning each year as a volunteer.

“Seeing people like Liz having confidence and adapting – that was really inspiring to me. It felt like – here’s another strong independent woman who’s being an absolute trailblazer in her field and has gone on to achieve amazing things. It showed me that there were other people doing it, therefore I could do it too.” – Ruthie

Whilst Ruthie was away, Ali experienced a shift of her own too. For the first time in years, she wasn’t Ruthie’s primary carer and found herself with space to think about her own future and take steps towards her dream of becoming a psychotherapist.

“The first couple of days I felt lost, but I soon realised I had time to do my own things, and that as Ruthie was developing and exploring more independence for herself, I could begin to do the same for myself!” – Ali

A lasting impact

Over the course of the trip, Ruthie developed a strong bond with her guide, Ellie, and they remain close to this day. Ellie taught Ruthie that it was okay to rest, adapt and make decisions based on what was right for her.

When Ruthie returned from Dreamflight, she put those lessons into practice. With a newfound confidence, she began advocating for herself at school, securing a term of trampolining in place of other PE activities she felt would be less beneficial.

During the trip, Ruthie also shared her ambition to study law with Ellie. She believes the encouragement she received gave her the confidence to pursue her goal, and in 2024 she graduated from the University of Liverpool with a first-class honours degree.

“I wouldn’t have felt confident enough to take those steps if I hadn’t gone on Dreamflight. It’s a bit crazy to say, because I feel like if I say that to someone who hasn’t experienced Dreamflight, they’re like, ‘it’s just a trip to Florida’, but it’s so much more than that.” – Ruthie

Ali is now a qualified psychotherapist with her own practice, and she too credits Dreamflight as a real turning point for both her and Ruthie.

“2016 was Ruthie’s Dreamflight year and it became mine too! Dreamflight has given to both of us by impacting and challenging all we had come to know. Dreamflight helped support us and now through our work we help and support others too.”

“Dreamflight enabled Ruthie to learn skills so that she gained in confidence about making friends and about feeling good about being someone’s friend.

It was life-changing, learning to swim is a symbol of how it changed Ruthie’s life. She learnt life. She learnt that there was more to life than appointments, meetings, care plans, educational plans, than hospital visits, than all those things that were her structure, but also made her different to a lot of other children. She learnt she could do it. She could move on in the way that she wanted to and yeah sometimes there might need to be a bit of an adaptation but that’s fine we all need adaptations.”

Orlando 2026 here we come!

Posted on 24 Jul 2026

Our next life-changing trip to Orlando is now under 100 sleeps away! The countdown is officially on and we’re delighted to share that all 192 children have now been invited.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination. Although we’re unable to offer every nominated child a place on this year’s Orlando trip, some may be considered for next year’s Dreamflight or have the opportunity to take part in one of our future UK-based trips, helping us to extend the Dreamflight experience to even more children.

We’re incredibly grateful to our volunteer Group Leaders and medical teams, who carefully reviewed every nomination, often alongside their full‑time roles. Their dedication makes this process possible.

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.