Dream Child: Lincoln
Dream Captains: Ed Knowling & Kelley Calkins
Eight-year-old Lincoln, who was diagnosed with Leukemia and has undergone several rounds of chemotherapy, recently returned from his dream experience!
Lincoln had the opportunity to stay at Give Kids The World Village and spend time at Universal Studios, enjoying a much-needed break from treatment and creating meaningful memories with his family.
From his Mom:
“The Dream Connection Dream Captains came to see us at the hospital when Lincoln was 1st diagnosed, telling Lincoln if he wanted to make 1 wish they would grant it. At first Lincoln wanted a Disney Cruise. Until he learned of the Give Kids the World Village in Orlando.
One of Lincoln’s favorite things about GKTW was the Starlight Scoops on the property, on demand, free, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream from 7:30am to 8pm. And let me tell you- he is now officially back to his pre-diagnosed weight. He was able to pick his seat on the Velcicoaster, meet Mickey and Minnie comfortably at the Village, front row seats to Magic Kingdom’s night time parade and fireworks, swim in the ocean for the 1st time since diagnosis, eat as much ice cream as he wanted, when he wanted, visit the biggest McDonalds in the world and actually physically able to play in the play area.
When he was first sick, he couldn’t walk or even hardly move his body at all; he was in so much pain. And now it’s Guardians of the Galaxy and the Haunted Mansion rides at Epcot, hanging his own star at the Village’s Star Tower, where all the kids who have visited have also left their stars. This was the most unforgettable experience and helps put distance between those days in the hospital and our future that still has to have so much life and love and happiness left to explore.
I want to thank Dream Connection and Ed Knowling, Give Kids the World Village, Disney, Universal and Sea World, His doctors & nurses at East TN Children’s Hospital, Anyone who has been there for us, checked on us, sent encouraging and sweet messages. and My mom, my sister and my best friends, literally would not be on this side of it all without you guys.”
