Live the Dream Experience Diary of Carrie and Elizabeth
Days 1 & 2
Our flights were on time and we arrived in London at 7am in the morning. We didn’t sleep a wink on the plane although we tried and tried…Garry of course slept like a log!!
The passenger van was waiting for us at Heathrow airport and so was Carrie’s wheelchair and so we headed off to the hotel in East London to meet the party from Poland. It took us 3 hours to get there!!! - amazing traffic but at least we got to see some of the wonderful sights of this amazing city that we have been dreaming about.
When we got to the hotel, Natalia and Bartek were already there with Natalia’s mom, Bartek’s dad and Kasia, the foundation’s chaperone from Poland. They were tired as they had been up since 2am in the morning to get to London from Poland but when we walked into their rooms loaded with gifts from Canada they forgot all about their tiredness and greeted us warmly. They gave us lovely Polish chocolate which we quickly devoured!
Natalia and Bartek are totally immobile and have to be lifted by 2 people in and out of the van every time. Natalia is beautiful and her English is great and Bartek – his smile alone was worth the journey.
It was so cold that we decided to tour London in the van and so off we set and we saw every major London attraction in daylight and at night – to quote Natalia – “It was so magical it couldn’t possibly be true!”
Even though it was cold we ended the day by walking around the Serpentine and had pizza in a wonderful lakeside restaurant before we headed back to the hotel – all of us fast asleep in the back of the van.
Day 3
The best day ever…
First we spent two hours in Madame Tussauds – it was amazing to see and to have our photos taken with all the famous celebrities – and then we had refreshments in Regent’s Park where it was lovely and sunny.
Then we headed across London to St Katherine’s docks where we had the most fantastic lunch in the very old Dicken’s Inn. After lunch we walked around Tower Bridge and the Tower of London and then went inside the oldest church in London - All Hallows – originating from 675AD!
Next we boarded a River Thames cruiser and went for a lovely ride up the river to Westminster. There we met a wonderful English bobby (policeman) who personally escorted us over Westminster bridge and then had his photo taken with all of us – which was quite an honour as they’ve stopped doing this now due to such tight security everywhere.
We then walked to the London Eye and they first took us into a private theatre where we put on special glasses and they showed us the most amazing movie about London. The 3D effects were out of this world – none of us had ever seen anything like it. Then up we went in the London Eye and for most of us this was the highlight of the trip. It was a beautiful clear evening and we could see forever. Christmas lights were everywhere and the view was spectacular.
What a great day!
Day 4
Another wonderful day …
The sun was shining on our way into the city and the first stop was the famous Chelsea football stadium. This was Bartek’s special wish and the staff of Chelsea made his dream come true. They took him throughout the stadium, onto the pitch and then into the locker room where he got to put on his hero’s football jersey – Didier Drogba – which they took out of his locker for him. Bartek came out of Chelsea with the biggest smile ever seen and then we took him to the Chelsea shop where he got a scarf and a jersey of his beloved team.
While this was happening for Bartek, all the girls were in Harrods! Elizabeth was quite keen on a pair of speakers that seemed a bargain at $200,000 and Carrie liked the $160,000 crystal chandelier but unfortunately they wouldn’t fit in the van so we had to give them a miss!
The kids didn’t want lunch - they wanted to keep going and going. So they walked around London some more, along with 1,000,000 people who were on a demonstration march and then came a big surprise….
Having seen everything in London that was magical it was time to see how “ordinary” Londoners enjoy themselves at night and so we took them Greyhound Racing – and they loved it. Only Elizabeth picked a winner and she donated her winnings to buy more tickets for the other kids. It was a great night complete with burgers and hotdogs!
Everywhere in London we have met wonderful kindness and great humour. Natalia and Bartek are completely immobile- only able to move their heads slightly – but all they do is smile and laugh. Natalia is the most positive and intelligent young lady you could ever meet and young Bartek…well he’s fallen in love with Elizabeth and they’re always holding hands and talking in whispers.. it’s so beautiful.
Day 5
The sun shone for us again today… After breakfast Carrie, Elizabeth and Natalia spent some quite time together talking about life, their lives, and……..It was a very meaningful time for the three girls.
Then we took off for a day touring the beautiful English countryside. On the way we picked up Garry’s dad (who’s 91 but looks twenty years younger) and this was special for the kids, they loved him.
We arrived in a very quaint English village and as we were walking through we came a cross a café. They welcomed us inside and the service from all the young staff was the best we have ever had. Nothing was too much trouble, the food and drinks were delicious, and we had a great time. As we were leaving the manager came out to see us and after we had told her who we were and what we were doing in England, she told us that this was a social enterprise café all that the youth who worked there had also had very difficult lives, with most of them on probation, and that through the training and trust they received by being a part of the café project they were turning their lives around. It was FATE that took us there!
We drove back to the hotel feeling a great warmth inside and we spent the evening eating more pizza and chatting about our journey together and the wonderful time we had all had. But above all we spoke about the true friendships that had been formed, the love and admiration we had for each other, the love and compassion we had received from Londoners wherever we went and the memories we will have forever.
Day 6
The Canadians were up at 5am to drive to Heathrow but before departing for the airport we went to the rooms of Natalia and Bartek to say our final goodbyes. Although they were not leaving for another 5 hours they were already up, waiting for us. You can imagine how difficult it was for everyone at that moment……..
We all promised to write and be friends forever and we hope there will come a day when we can all be together again.
When I was invited to go on this trip, I don't think I thought about the purpose, just the fact that I was going across an ocean and into a different country, which I've never done before. Counting down the days, I grew more and more excited to leave, we started talking about Bartek & Natalia more, and my mind started to think about what this trip was actually going to be like. Both of the kids from Poland were in wheelchairs, and I heard that London wasn't a very wheelchair accessible place. I started thinking of all the things we could, and could not do. The day before we left, I was so excited I couldn't sleep. I don't think any amount of sleep would prepare me & my emotions for what the next 5 days was going to bring.
We got to the hotel after a very long plane ride, we were tired, but nonetheless excited that we were in EUROPE!! On the drive to the hotel we were looking at all the beautiful things in London, talking about when Bartek & Natalia were going to get there. We were so excited to meet them. When we finally got to the hotel (very nice) the Poland kids were there, but "sleeping". I was so excited & nervous to meet them, I suggested that we just go up and say hello. I was excited because I have never met these kids, and the purpose of my trip there was to make THEIR time better. I was nervous because I didn't want to cry when I saw them, and I didn't know how much English they spoke.
I saw Natalia first, as soon as I saw her we both smiled. I could tell she was nervous, but I think she knew I was too. I gave her a big hug, and we started to chat, she spoke really good English. I would later learn that she was actually studying to be an English teacher in Poland, with one more year of studies to go! Her mother was in the room too, and she was about the sweetest thing I've seen before. She didn't speak any English, but still offered us tea, which we took with nervous hands. We gave them some Canadian swag, hats, stickers etc. Finally, WE HAVE MET!
Next was Bartek. I walked into his room, still gleaming from seeing Natalia. Marian (Bartek's dad) opened the door for us. I walked over to Bartek who had a huge smile on his face and gave him a good hug. I gave him some swag also, and an extra kiss on the cheek. I didn't know Bartek would mean so much to me on the trip, but that was the first day.
Over the course of the 6 days we were there, me and Bartek grew so close. I could tell that he was falling in love with me, and I couldn't help but feeling the same way for him. While we were going on car rides through London, while we were supposed to be looking at the sights, we were both just gazing into each other's eyes, with smiles on our faces. We held hands for pretty much the entirety of the trip. I knew that the trip wasn't about being in London for him, it was about being with a girl, who he felt strong for, and being close with her. I did everything I could possibly do to make it wonderful for him. He didn't speak any English, but one day in the van, "Liz, I love you" was all he said. I was trying to focus on being in London with 2 wonderful kids, but Bartek made it impossible to think about other things. He told me I was his queen, and he was my king, forever. I kissed him on the cheek a few times, but on the last day it was easy to see what he wanted. While we were saying our goodbyes, I leaned in and kissed him on his lips, which twisted into the most wonderful smile I have every seen. Words can't describe the kind of connection me and Bartek had, it was deeper than love, you only feel it.
This trip has transformed me into something I would never think about becoming. While I was with Nat & Bartek, I was thinking back about the things I've done. Here's this beautiful 20 year old Natalia, whom all her life has been told "why bother" and "you can't do it", to attending her last year of university to become a teacher. And Bartek, who's only 15, but has such hopes and feelings, and these wonderful words that pour out of his mouth. Then I looked at me, and my two working legs, and tried to think of Something that could be credited to me. It blew my mind. I look up to Bartek & Natalia. They reminded me of what is REALLY important, and what really counts. On the last day, Natalia told me "everybody is capable of greatness, you just have to grab it."
Thank you so much for this, well, thank you is just two words, indescribable.
My journey to England really began almost two and a half years ago, when I discovered a program called Leave out Violence (LOVE) and decided to write a story about how they change the lives of youth who have experienced violence. A few months later, I began volunteering, fulfilling one of my lifelong goals: giving something back. Learning about the hopes and dreams of youth taught me that having someone to believe in them is all they need to take that first step.
I have met many fascinating organizations and individuals through the LOVE program, and one of those people was Garry Oliver of the Coalition for Kids International. From the moment I met Garry and heard about the Coalition, I was inspired and wanted to be a part of making a difference in the lives of terminally-ill children and youth. I have always wanted to help those less fortunate, those a world away, to have a little light in their lives, and when the opportunity for London came up I could not refuse. Four days, two youth from Poland with muscular dystrophy, one dream while they had the chance to live it. With Garry, an Englander himself as our phenomenal tour guide chaperone, and Elizabeth, a LOVE youth turned leader who I'd worked with for almost four years, I knew the journey I was about to take would change me. In the end, however, it wasn't the change I was expecting, and I didn't even realize it had taken place. I had recognized something that went beyond my strength: the power of my heart.
This is the story of my experience in England: the people I met, the lives that were touched, and the new world I discovered in a new country as well as in myself.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
My perception of time is already shifting. Elizabeth and I are sitting in the Halifax International Airport, waiting for Garry to arrive. Sarah calls us on Elizabeth's phone to wish us well and share her pride in us for representing LOVE. I hope I can follow her advice to 'use that big heart' of mine, all I can do is be myself and The reality that we are traveling to England begins to sink in and I become emotional before we even check into our gate. This is the beginning of my dreams turning full circle. I am determined to try to give back all that others have given to me. We check our bags and go through security before stopping at Tims for coffee for the girls and tea for the Englishman- it's time for a pre-London chat.
Garry unfolds a map of London and we all lean over the table and pour over it together as he points out all of the historical landmarks and tells us of all the stories behind them. We see just how expansive the city is when he points out the distance from there to where our hotel is located. There will be so much to see in England...
We stop over in Toronto, it's a five hour wait in the airport until our flight to London. We take a little tour of the airport and then sit down and tell stories to pass the time. As the Pearson Airport is quite large, I use a wheelchair for awhile to help me along, which Elizabeth, whose sense of adventure has sprung forth, decides to take me for a ride in. We zoom in and out of the dome shaped tunnel and fly past a Christmas tree, almost running a few of them down. We go for another round before she collapses on her seat exhausted. Finally we board the plane and take Gravol to sleep through the next seven hours, though it doesn't have much of an effect on me--I can't sleep sitting up.
I don't know how far over the ocean we are, but time passes and I think I've fallen asleep. Elizabeth and I keep resting our heads on one another shoulders. I take great comfort in this, I can already tell were becoming closer. I’ve worked with her since she was fourteen and I have so much pride in her and a deep admiration for her strength. I can feel our mountains starting to move.
Day One- Thursday, December 3rd
Arriving in London:
Arriving in London feels like stepping into another world, a sea of people, all so different and separate in not only appearance but attitude. England has an old and familiar feel to it, from the sights that made me think of the history and the great artists that it has produced over the centuries. I recognized the change of culture as early as wandering through the London airport, where there are so many different people of so many different walks of life and yet, to me, everyone sounds the same. We go to the car park to pick up our van and it is my first time inside a vehicle that has the steering wheel on the right hand side. We are going for a drive on the left hand side of the road!
Driving through London:
I worry I won't be able to keep my eyes open, but as we drive into the great city of London, everything comes to life. You simply can't capture this kind of atmosphere in a picture or a video. The architecture dates back hundreds of years and the buildings are exquisite. I never want this tour to end; I feel perfectly content sightseeing in the early morning fog. We make a stop before we reach the hotel and the coffee taste sweeter to me here, maybe it's just the adrenaline.
By the time we arrive at Hotel Ibis in Essex, I'm feeling sleepy again. We meet Kasha, our translator from Poland who came over with Bartek, Natalia and their parents. I like her right away- she has a sweet personality and her eyes almost close when she smiles. Kasha is one of those rare souls you connect with from the first moment. She gives us some background on these two youth with muscular dystrophy, who are upstairs in their rooms having a quick rest. I think Bartek's sleeping more soundly than Natalia- she has been waiting for this for five years.
I think I'm going to cry when I meet these two wonderful youth but I manage to hold the tears back. I only say hello to Natalia and I know she is fearless. She cannot walk and has limited movement in her upper body and she can move her head only slightly and not from side to side. All I notice is her beautiful face and her shining eyes- in her I have discovered a very special new friend. Bartek is adorable--he could charm anyone with that smile. He is like Natalia, but is able to turn his head and has less limited upper body movement. Natalia is quiet well versed in English and Bartek knows only a few words while the parents know none at all. One thing that is easy to see, however, is that they are both truly exceptional parents.
Marion, Bartek's Dad, shares a special connection with Elizabeth. Although they cannot speak to one another, they bond over cigarettes. Marion is serious and dedicated to helping his son: whenever you hug him you can feel how strong he is from lifting Bartek, but he has a great sense of humour too: he tells us the occasional joke and Kasha translates. The relationship I see between Marion and Bartek extends beyond father and son into best buddies: they bond especially over Bartek’s favourite football i.e. soccer team, Chelsea.
Anna, Natalia's Mom, is gracious, patient and so giving. I can tell how much Natalia means to her, she is always thinking about her and attending to her needs but it seems to be her greatest pleasure in life. When Elizabeth and I get ready to say goodbye and head back to our hotel room to freshen up for the rest of the day, she presents me with an armful of Polish chocolate and immediately has my heart.
An Afternoon/Evening of Sight Seeing
It’s early afternoon and we all get into the van to see the sights of the city. It’s a team effort to get Natalia and Bartek into their seats, with Marion, Anna and Garry doing the lifting. I’m impressed with Garry, offering this help several times a day, all the while acting as our official tour guide and keeping the youth from Poland entertained. We get out near a park to go for a walk, the sun is shining so brightly but the air is very cold- I’m in a wheelchair as well to help me navigate the long distances. The shock has not yet worn off from this morning, I’m still overwhelmed by the picture this magnificent country is painting before my eyes.
There are birds everywhere, of every kind—hundreds of them, splashing around in a big pond. There is a Ferris wheel in the distance, part of the fair that takes place at night, and when it grows dark, it will be lit up with pretty blue lights. We find a nice little restaurant and have our first meal together.
Dinner
The whole group orders pizza and I enjoy a coffee with white and brown sugar cubes. Our meal is delicious and we enjoy getting to know one another. There’s all kinds of people gathered in this cozy place, families, friends, couples. The fair lights up the world outside: it looks like a miniature fairy land and everything feels very magical, so I take a moment to appreciate it. I’m nervous but I know that there is so much more to look forward to.
We drive back to the hotel looking at the Christmas lights, at Harrods all lit up in green, and we pass the city Christmas tree, which they are in the process of lighting up. My favourite is a net like canopy strung over the street lamps that is made up of blue lights. Once again, I think that I must be dreaming. We all fall asleep on the way back, forgetting how long we’d been awake.
Day Two- Friday, December 4th
English bacon is different, thick and very very salty: this is the first thing I notice at breakfast the next morning. This is probably the only London food I don’t like. As always, the company is fantastic. I am less nervous today and ready to have some fun.
I can’t wait to visit the wonderful wax museum that is Madame Tussauds. We have reservations so we don't have to wait. There is a beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby where we take a group picture. The staff here are very accommodating and take Natalia, Bartek and I on the lift from floor to floor one at a time. Among my favourite wax celebrities to pose with are: Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Cruise, and of course, Elizabeth and I have our fun acting like crazed fans of Hannah Montana. We pass through the House of Horrors and she's more frightened than I am: I'm amused by the creatures that pop out at me rather than afraid.
It's a sunny day though the air is cool and we go for a stroll in the park while sipping on sodas and munching on candy. Anna touches my heart; concerned for my warmth, she wraps her scarf- it is a pretty shade of golden orange- so tenderly, and this is proof to me that some moments need no words at all.
St. Catherine's Dock is such a peaceful and pretty place. I love seeing all the boats and looking out on to the water. We come across a really cute pub where we have lunch and I eat a large bowl of ravioli- the most delicious kind I ever tasted. Natalia and I discuss movies and reading--she reads a lot of books in English to help her learn the language, and it turns out we have even read some of the same ones.
I take a picture of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, which are like the stories I used to hear in my childhood come to life. The architecture strikes me once again, the old world mixed with the new.
Sailing across the River Thames to Westminster gives me a peace where I can float along calmly through my thoughts. In the distance rises London Bridge, an archway over the waters of an evening where everything seems outside of myself. I sigh when our ride comes to an end, though I know that experiences like these are only brief and that’s what makes them so magical. Besides, my most anticipated activity comes next— going up on the London Eye. We enter a passenger capsule which starts at ground level and move slowly for approximately a half hour before it reaches the top. I have the chance to look down on everything from this bird’s eye view, the London Bridge, the Tower of London, Big Ben, boats making the water glimmer with bright colors, the shining of holiday lights and the Christmas tree. I can’t think of anything else except taking it all in—everything I see brings tears to my eyes. This is a moment in which everything feels surreal and it feels as though no time is passing. It’s as if I am a part of city and yet separate from it at the same time. A new sensation comes over me now as I reach the top of the London Eye: I’ve experienced something out of my world.
We’re walking through the London streets where the night time rushes through my veins. The Christmas spirit is everywhere, hundreds of people fill the streets and there are endless booths selling Christmas chocolates and candy. My favourite sight here is the man with an invisible face and arms who sits in a chair and does tricks with his hands—there is nothing quite like a random street performance. We walk along London bridge as the rain is softly falling...it’s so wonderful. We take the first of two lifts and the second one isn’t working—we are faced with the dilemma of having to get Bartek and Natalia down several flights of stairs in their wheelchairs and Garry along with the help of the parents and Kasha take on the challenge—I am amazed by the dedication I see before my eyes, the willingness to do anything to make sure that Natalia and Bartek have the trip of their lives.
Day Three- Saturday, December 5th
Elizabeth, Natalia, Anna, Garry and I are going shopping at Harrods while Bartek and his father visit the Chelsea Football Club. Everything in here is made of crystal or fancy material and it seems like I would have to give up more than my year’s salary to afford even one thing. I can’t believe that a set of speakers—no matter how tall they are, cost one hundred thousand pounds; that’s two hundred thousand dollars Canadian!
Nothing has warmed my heart quite like Bartek’s reaction to visiting Chelsea is as we talk over coffee, tea and hot chocolate. He is beaming with excitement and smiling that incredibly adorable smile of his. It has been so rewarding for me to witness his dream coming true.
We find out that tonight’s surprise event will be going to watch greyhound racing. I am surprised to learn from Garry that this how Londoners spend a typical Saturday night, but we arrive and I see that there are several people my age and discover that it is a lot of fun- you get to bet on the dog you want to win while munching on lots of burgers and fries in between.
Day Four- Sunday, December 6th
Today is Sunday, our final day in London, and though I know it will be bittersweet I am determined to make the most of it and make a difference in the lives of the two Polish youth I have met who to me are invincible. I have this opportunity now, sitting down for a girl’s talk with Natalia and Liz. Telling us of her struggles, Natalia woke up something in me and made me realize that I can be too hard on myself sometimes, and that I need to stand up for myself more. She reminds me that I have fought so much for my independence and she makes me want to fight harder. And you know something? My disability is not something to be ashamed of, it’s simply a part of who I am and a part of what makes me strive to do and be more. After our talk, Kasha comes into the lobby and tells me I’m looking more beautiful everyday: it must be all of this inspiration that’s surrounding me.
We take a relaxing drive through the country side, the fields and skies here are absolutely breath taking. We come to a village in Great Dunmow, Essex that looks like something out of Hazel and Gretal. Garry’s ninety-one year old father Charlie joins us on our walk and insists on pushing me in my wheelchair—he says it will help him to keep his balance. I find him absolutely delightful and love the phrase he uses whenever he approves of something: ‘jolly good.’ We have lunch at a little place called The Juice Project and they go above and beyond to accommodate us, even taking several group pictures on all of our separate cameras. The Juice Project hires youth at risks and gives them a chance to develop strong professional and personal skills, something Garry, Elizabeth and I agree would be a wonderful idea for the youth of LOVE.
It’s around eight o’clock in the evening and we all gather as a team one last time in the lobby of Hotel Ibis. We chat and have snacks and share our favourite things about London. Elizabeth’s bond with Bartek is so stunning I cannot put into words. I could not be more proud of her, her true potential is shining through and she has lit up Bartek’s whole world with it. The affection and love she has shown him has changed his life. Elizabeth has changed because of Bartek: she sees more with her heart now.
We meet a man in the hotel later that night who lives and works in England and is very well off. Elizabeth tells him our story and he is so moved that he pays for our pizza. He gives me a note with ten pounds to spend at the airport. The note reads: “Have a safe journey. Come back to England soon! Take care.”
Liz is crying over his kindness and I soon find myself in tears as well. Amazing people like that man are a rare find these days, but I think that makes encounters like ours all the more precious. It is certainly a blessing for Elizabeth and I.
Goodbye London- December 7th
As I say goodbye to dear old London, flying high in the sky, I can’t stop crying and I look over at Elizabeth and see that she can’t either. The impact of our journey has hit me all at once and I’m the most emotional that I’ve been in a long time. Though I still don’t know exactly to what effect, I realize that my smile and my presence meant something to Natalia and Bartek and that this is the way my heart works: using my power to give as much as I can to others, a power which is becoming greater as I am here, this journey of a lifetime behind me, continuing to gain strength.
London Rain
London rain falls differently
It feels like drops of fog on my shoulders
Its rhythm is slow and unassuming
Capturing each little second of solace
A million different words for what beautiful is
A welcome patter to the pattern made
From the weaving of memories who have stayed
Dearest friends ever since I went
Since I continued along my journey and yet
I miss how those raindrops surrounded me
And released me momentarily from wondering sorrowfully
Although not bright they lit up my sight
And invited those lights of a enchanted England night
London rain falls differently
I reflect on the jewels of wisdom street by street
All the faces of strength are shown to me
And my own is redefined
Taken by the moon in an attempt to rise beyond this night
A solid and unshaken brilliant rising sight
I know now, how to hold on...holding nothing in
I seek the lessons though I cannot define them
I believe in every hope we have not yet reached
London rain falls differently
It took me a little while to see...
Then we headed across London to St Katherine’s docks where we had the most fantastic lunch in the very old Dicken’s Inn. After lunch we walked around Tower Bridge and the Tower of London and then went inside the oldest church in London - All Hallows – originating from 675AD!
