Disney dream takes flight for eight-year-old Chelsea Doucette

By: Ellen Samek, Corporate Communications Intern

A Disney World dream came true this month for eight-year-old Chelsea Doucette.

Chelsea was selected by Dreams Take Flight, a volunteer organization driven by Air Canada employees. Every year Dreams Take Flight chooses nominated children, who might not otherwise have the opportunity, to go to Disney World for a day, all expenses paid. There are eight trips every year.

Diana Tustin, a Child Life Specialist at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) who has worked with Chelsea since infancy, nominated her.

“As I remembered Chelsea's story, I thought, this child is a great candidate. She's at the right age and she meets all the criteria,” says Diana.

Some criteria include being able to handle a 24 hour day and never having been to a Disney theme park before.

Diana Tustin has been sponsoring children from MGH to take part in Dreams Take Flight for 15 years. She also goes on the trip with them.

Shauna, Chelsea's mother, kept the trip a secret for months.

“We thought we'd wait until a little closer to the date to tell her,” says Shauna. “It was hard to keep it secret; it almost slipped out a couple of times.”

Three weeks before the trip Shauna shared the news with Chelsea and she was extremely excited.

“It made me feel really proud that she got to have a once in a lifetime experience that she would enjoy and always remember,” says Shauna.

The trip took place on May 2.

“[On the trip], she was very engaged with everyone in the group. Although she may have been the smallest in stature, she went on every ride and she went on roller coasters,” says Diana.

Chelsea even conquered her fear of getting wet on Splash Mountain and went on the ride twice. She met Pluto and got to go on a surprise shopping spree at the end of the day. Chelsea chose a doll of her favourite Disney princess Rapunzel from the gift shop.

“She was so positive the entire day. She had a smile on her face the whole time…you could just see the joy on her face. Every time I had the camera up she was smiling.”

Chelsea was born at Michael Garron Hospital. At 11 months old she had her first seizure.

“It was really scary,” says Shauna. “She was in the stroller when it started happening.”

At one point, Chelsea had 300 seizures in one week alone. She was soon diagnosed with epilepsy and put on medication. Thankfully Chelsea hasn't had a seizure since she was five.

“I just took it day by day,” says Shauna. “I always listened to my gut when I thought something could be wrong.”

Chelsea continues to receive follow-up care at MGH for other health challenges, including an intellectual disability, from her pediatrician Dr. Celia Atkinson.

“Chelsea is a very resilient child,” says Dr. Atkinson. “She's done remarkably well despite the many clinical challenges that she faces. She deserves all the credit for the progress she's made so far. Her mom has been fantastic too.”

Even with her challenges, Chelsea is a thriving and happy child.

“She loves talking when she's comfortable,” says her mother Shauna. “Sometimes she has an attitude, but she's so good and has good manners.”

Chelsea attends special classes for children with disabilities at Secord Elementary School, loves to play with her best friend Claire and pester her seven-year-old brother Brayden.

“She seems to have this fight within her that she's not going to let her size determine how far she goes in life,” says Diana. “I really see that in her.”