Additional Needs

We’re all going on a…SUMMER HOL-I-DAY

Posted by Rebecca Toal on 3rd July 2017 Additional Needs, Advice & Support, Disabilities, Travel Tips

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You know… that really catchy and somewhat annoying summer holiday 1960’s classic by Cliff Richard – ‘We’re all going on a summer holiday’.

The one I just watched a group of adorable preschool dancers in their little swimsuits and shorts dance to at my daughter’s dance extravaganza…

Well, I looked up the words and here they are:

We're all going on a summer holiday
No more working for a week or two.
Fun and laughter on our summer holiday,
No more worries for me or you,
For a week or two.

We're going where the sun shines brightly
We're going where the sea is blue.
We've all seen it on the movies,
Now let's see if it's true.

Everybody has a summer holiday
Doin' things they always wanted to
So we're going on a summer holiday,
To make our dreams come true
For me and you.
For me and you.

My family and I are getting SUPER excited for our upcoming trip to the States!

We have so many special people to visit, old and new places to see. Only one more week of school left for the girls!

My wise father-in-law reminded me though that it wasn’t going to be easy having all  four girls home for 2 months, ALL THE TIME.

Especially my youngest monkey who is six years old, and needs constant care and attention, and special help with all activities of daily living.

And travelling on a 10 hour transatlantic flight, in fact a short haul and then a transatlantic flight, when you may require oxygen, will need to monitored and need to be tube-fed, and not be able to understand why you are being restrained in a seat for hours on end, is not just fun when you’re an active six year old!

So whilst I agree with most of the sentiment of this song, no more working for a week or two, fun and laughter, and the sun shining brightly, there is ONE thing that is just about as far removed from reality as I can imagine….

No more worrries for me or you.

NO MORE WORRIES- I wish!

There is so much preparation, paperwork, packing, sorting out accommodation, organizing, that goes into planning for a summer trip!

And all of that work is infinity increased when you have a little one with complex or special needs- those of you who are in this same boat know exactly what I mean…

Yes- we can’t wait! But I will have to keep my cool and try not to be stressed by all the prep leading up to travelling.

It will be intense. It will be a lot of work.

But hopefully, the kids will stay healthy and we will all manage to unwind, relax and enjoy the sun, each other and good friends while we are away.

Hopefully the walker and wheelchair will make it to America in one piece!

Summer holidays are great, there is no doubt about that-  however a parent’s work is never done.

There will be plenty of worries and little stresses to deal with.

In fact, going away brings up a lot of them for those who have kids with complex needs. But that’s just our reality.

We get on with it, and look forward to making some incredible family summer holiday memories to last a lifetime.