THANKS to the generous Ballarat and surrounding community we have been able to raise over $60,000 and take Tommi on his big trip! It took about 14 hours to get to Los Angeles on the plane and Tommi spent the trip breaking the hearts of the flight attendants with his smile and little giggles! (Which we hadn’t heard for a long time!) We spent 3 massive days at Disneyland (donated by Jetset Ballarat) in the gorgeous sunshine, which was a lovely change to Ballarat’s frosty weather. Our hotel was right across the road from Disneyland so each night we were able to see the beautiful fireworks from our room. Tommi spent a lot of time sleeping the first and second day, but the third day we were able to get lots of photos of our favourite part in Disneyland ‘Toon Town’ where Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy all live. Los Angeles was much like Brisbane, lovely weather with a relaxed/holiday atmosphere. Peru is cooler and crazier. Am not yet sure how the road rules work though, red flashing light plus a toot = go your hardest through the intersection! The time difference is very confusing! We are all awake until 2am (Peru time) and sleeping until about 11am each day. Tomorrow is treatment day though so we need to be up nice and early! We are getting picked up at 9.30am which will be 12.30am your time on August 23 by Dr. Feinerman’s assistant and taken to the clinic where we will stay for the night with the other patients being treated by the doctor. We have met Aspen’s dad Keith (the American family who we became aware of the treatment through) briefly in the lobby of our hotel. It was great to meet him, as we have been exchanging e-mails for a few months now. Click here to see photos from the trip so far
Tommi has been so great the whole trip, he is loving spending 24/7 with mummy and daddy. Being able to go to Disneyland and spending some quality time together as a family is what we all needed, as life has been quite stressful lately! In 14 ½ hrs we will meet the doctors and perhaps our fate. I’m scared for our little man, but he is so brave and strong, I know he will be fine and he’ll be the one helping his emotional mum through it all! Who knows — next time I blog Tommi might be able to hold up his head, or take some weight on his feet! It’s been just over 5 months since Ballarat became aware of Tommi and the journey we needed to take. Tomorrow all the donations, the fundraisers and hard work will all be for one thing, to help our little man kick this terrible disease and keep him with us forever and ever! We love him so much and he brings so much joy to our lives and the lives of others. He is an inspiring little boy who needs a chance at life. Please God, give him a chance. — Jess