Preparing For Kidd's Kids and What The Trip Means To Me

and coordination that goes on into putting it together. This life changing experience takes two
full-time employees, great partners and sponsors, and tons of volunteers,
working around the clock, to even come close to pulling together the event each
year.

Every year, before the Kidd’s Kids Application is released, we have booked our hotel and set our travel dates (sometimes we book a couple of
years in advance to ensure we hold the trip during the best time possible in
November). We work on coordinating
our partners and sponsors to secure the products, the services, and the relationships
needed to ensure that each family’s experience is one that will last for many
years to come! And that is just
the beginning…

Over the next few weeks, I am looking forward to sharing our day-to-day activities, so that you can also join us on the journey, as we
prepare for the 2010 Trip to Walt Disney World. yes""> You will have a glimpse behind the scenes and really gain
insight and scope of all is involved in creating five days of magic in the
lives of children with special medical needs.yes""> Also, it will allow you to have a different perspective and
understanding of what all goes on behind the camera when you are viewing the
Kidd’s Kids Trip videos, seeing all of the heartwarming photos, and hearing the
audio entertainment from the Kidd Kraddick In The Morning radio show.

As Executive Director, I make sure that every Kidd’s Kids family has the opportunity to expand their social support network by interacting
with other families while on the trip; they forget about the day-to-day grind
of hospitals, clinics, treatment centers, physical therapy exercises and
appointments, and the feeling of not “fitting in” at school or with other kids
their age. We create memories and
family bonds that will stay with them forever; and, if for a moment, we suspend
their reality, so that they can get rejuvenated and re-energized to go back
home and continue to face the daily battle with their illnesses. One of the most amazing things that I
have the honor to witness on each year’s trip is the resilience of our Kidd’s
Kids children. The hope and
happiness they have in their hearts truly lights the world. For me, it is very difficult to contemplate
what it would be like to walk a day in their shoes.

I remember my first Kidd’s Kids Trip, almost 6 years ago, and how unprepared I was for the emotional rollercoaster that I
experienced. From an
administrative perspective, I had everything planned and organized for the
logistics of the trip. Getting the
families to-and-from the airports, checked into their hotel rooms, distributing
park passes and meal coupons, handling any issues that arose while we were
there. I thought I had it all
planned out and under control, however, I was completely overwhelmed by the
love and warmth that radiated from each child and family towards me, simply
because I had helped facilitated an opportunity that most had only dreamed of…
the opportunity to be among other families who understood their frustrations
and heartache, who understood what is was like to raise a child or be a sibling
to a brother or sister who had a special medical need. And, this all pales in
comparison to what is was like to actually be a child stricken with a
chronic/terminal illness or a physical disability.yes""> I remember thinking it should be me that is thanking and
taking care of them, but they were all pulling together, trying to take care of
me, to make sure that I got to eat and sleep while on the trip. This goes to show you the amount of joy
and resolve that our Kidd’s Kids families have and their understanding of how
precious each and every moment truly is.

Every year, I am amazed at the power of their spirit and how for so many others take for granted the life and the experiences that we are
afforded. I know I am truly
humbled by the opportunity that I have each year to meet and interact with such
amazing kids. These angels continue
to touch my life long after the trip and stay in contact with me and the other
members of the show and medical volunteers.

So as we are working hard to prepare for Kidd’s Kids Day tomorrow, it is just the beginning to another great trip that is just around
the corner.

Below are some photos of our Southwest Airlines Kidd’s Kids Day Donation Hotline Phone Center.
In just a few short hours, this space will be filled with volunteers
(some from the community and some past Kidd’s Kids parents) and many Southwest
employees who will be eagerly awaiting your call and donation!

Each person who is donating, no matter the amount, is part of the magic that helps bring the Kidd’s Kids Trip to these wonderful families
each year. As I share with you my
thoughts, memories, experiences, and reflections, I do so in remembrances of
the Angels we touched and who touched us too briefly.yes""> Thank you so much for your continued support and I hope that
you will venture back here each week and share in this behind the scenes journey
that I promise will change your life forever!