Ill boy enjoys Disney cruise getaway

A Special Wish Foundation-Dayton Chapter is the only wish granting organization located in the Dayton region. For more information on how you can be part of granting a local child’s wish, go online to www.aspecialwishdayton.org.

In December, Trayvon Calloway, along with his parents Charles and Tracy, set sail on the high seas for a “Very MerryTime” five-day cruise on the Disney Magic cruise line.

The first wish of its kind for Dayton’s chapter of A Special Wish Foundation (ASW), everyone involved was thrilled to make this wish come true and celebrated as the Calloway family’s ship hoisted anchor and headed to the Bahamas. Trayvon was excited to experience the seasonal magic Disney’s Cruise Line had to offer. From a life-sized gingerbread house to a 24-foot Christmas tree, the Very MerryTime cruise had much to offer this holiday season.

Trayvon’s wish has been a long wish in the making. Eleven years ago when he was diagnosed with Sickle cell-Hb Lepore Boston Syndrome, a syndrome where blood cells are shaped like crescent moons and instead of flowing through the bloodstream with ease, the red blood cells become sticky and fragile. This causes the blood vessels to clog. Clogged vessels can lead to many issues, mainly, it stops the blood flow from moving in and out of healthy organs and tissue. Normal red blood cells remain in our bodies for about 16 weeks. People with sickle-cell anemia have blood cells that break down within days. Because of this swift deterioration, people are prone to anemia, causing them to feel fatigued and generally exhausted.

When Trayvon was an infant, it was suggested that Trayvon’s parents contact Dayton’s chapter of ASW. However, his parents decided to wait until Trayvon was old enough to make the right choice for his wish. When asked why he selected a Disney Cruise, Trayvon said, “I heard Disney had the best cruise for kids, and I wanted to have a really fun time on a cruise ship.”

Trayvon’s illness often causes incredible fatigue and pain due to anemia, but the warmer climate seemed to not only help how Trayvon felt physically but also he found he had more energy during the trip. “We may have to move to a warmer climate,” said Charles Calloway, Trayvon’s father, “His blood stayed at an even level. He didn’t suffer from any pain, he had zero complications and any exhaustion he felt was due to running around with friends Trayvon made on the ship.”

When speaking with Trayvon about what he enjoyed most he joyfully exclaimed, “I met so many new friends! I made friends from all over the country. We were all older kids, so we spent most of our time in the ships club called Club Edge. They had Nintendo, Xbox 1, Wii U, board games and guitar hero!” The band of buddies would meet daily and head off to Club Edge.

Another trip highlight was when the Calloway family spent time on Disney’s own island, Castaway Kay. Tracy, Trayvon’s mother, said, “This was the most beautiful part of the trip. The island was stunning and had many activities for our entire family to enjoy. We swam in the ocean, went snorkeling, we even had the chance to feed the sting rays. There were endless opportunities for our family, and we hope to return one day. The entire trip was outstanding.”

When asked about the Calloways’ overall experience, Charles said, “I absolutely recommend and urge more people to sponsor A Special Wish in Dayton. I’d love to see more area kids being granted their very own special wish. Watching Trayvon experience this trip was amazing. He wasn’t held captive by his disease. It was extraordinary to have everything pre-planned making this a stress-free trip.”

Consider joining ASW

As we say hello to 2017, please consider joining ASW in honoring the children who have been through so much in their very young lives. By making a donation, you can help make a special wish come true. Your gift stays within the community and will help grant the wish of a local child, who is battling a life threatening disorder. All wishes granted to local children like Trayvon will offer moments of laughter, smiles and most importantly memories that will last a lifetime for the entire family. To make a contribution, go online to www.aspecialwishdayton.org or call 937-223-WISH (9474).

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