CHILDREN’S charity, Make-A-Wish UK, granted the once-in-a-lifetime trip for a Redditch family to visit Lapland for Christmas.
Following a diagnosis of a rare blood disorder called Diamond-Blackfan Anaemia, five-year-old James’ life has been far from normal, with his condition impacting the way he’s experienced Christmas.
“We’ll plan to take him to Winter Wonderland or to see Father Christmas but he’ll be too poorly,” said mum Lizzie.
“After missing out on the magic of Christmas, his wish to go to Lapland Finland allowed him to, live a normal life for those three days.”
Diamond-Blackfan Anaemia affects the body’s bone marrow and disrupts red blood cell production.
Lizzie added: “It was devastating, we were told that his life expectancy wasn’t very long- his life flashed before us in an instant.
“We don’t know how long he has left, so it has an impact on all of us.”
His wish to go to Lapland, where he was surrounded by other kids with critical illnesses, allowed him to feel, in his words, “normal.”
The trip marked the first time that the family would be able to go on holiday abroad and served as time for the whole family to spend together away from his condition.
Now at an age where he can understand that he’s different from his peers, James is aware of the consequences of his condition.
Lizzie said: “For those three days, he could just live a normal life.
“He could have snowball fights with his brother and just do what other kids do.
“James loved the fact that he was on holiday with children like him, who also had critical illnesses and disabilities.
“We would never have the opportunity to do something like this normally.”
Jason Suckley, Chief Executive of Make-A-Wish UK said: “Every year thousands of children’s lives are changed forever when they are diagnosed with a critical or life-limiting condition.
“For these children and their families, it can be a dark and scary place filled with treatment plans, isolation, sleepless nights and constant worry about their future.
“The power of a wish brings light and joy to children and their loved ones, at a time when they need it the most.
