Bert's Big Adventure Magical Moments by Bert's Big Adventure

www.BertsBigAdventure.org

2009 INAUGURAL ISSUE

www.bertsbigadventure.org • 404.303.8312 ‘magical moments’ magazine • 2009

staff

contents co te ts

BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE Bert Weiss Chairman of The Board Stacey Weiss President Amy Moosbrugger Program Director Chris Kappy Development Director Medical Staff Michelle Presley, MD Tom McQuail, MD Cathy Robinson, RN Georgann Billetdeaux Accounting Manager

MAGICAL MOMENTS MAGAZINE Stacey Weiss Publisher Amy Moosbrugger Editor-In-Chief Andi Hill/360 Media Managing Editor Michael Birchall/Troika Studio, Inc. Art Director

P.O. Box 420917 • Atlanta, GA 30342 404.303.8312 • BertsBigAdventure.org All photos courtesy of Stacey Bode Photography unless otherwise noted.

ON THE COVER

Top to bottom: Jonah, Akaya, Devon and Ashlyn www.BertsBigAdventure.org

2009 INAUGURAL ISSUE

BERT’S LETTER ...........................................................................................3 WHAT IS BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE? ....................................................4 THE AMERSON FAMILY .............................................................................5 FAMILY CONNECTIONS .............................................................................7 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT .........................................................................8 THE CLENDENIN FAMILY ..........................................................................9 ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES ....................................................11 THE GARCIA FAMILY ...............................................................................13 AMY MOOSBRUGGER ............................................................................15 MEDICAL STAFF .......................................................................................16 THE GOSS FAMILY ...................................................................................17 COUNTRY CLUB OF ROSWELL ............................................................19 SIBLING SPOTLIGHT: BRENDAN MOISES........................................20 THE HENNEBERG FAMILY .....................................................................21 BEYOND THE MAGIC ..............................................................................23 THEN AND NOW: MARCELLA .............................................................24 THE KRUSZYNSKI FAMILY ....................................................................25 SHERATON GATEWAY ATLANTA AIRPORT ...................................27 PARENT PERSPECTIVE ..........................................................................28 THE MELTON FAMILY ..............................................................................29 DONOR THANK YOU ..............................................................................31 THE MERRION FAMILY ............................................................................33 STAFF PERSPECTIVE ..............................................................................35 BY THE NUMBERS ..................................................................................36 THE MILLINGTON FAMILY......................................................................37 WE REMEMBER ........................................................................................39 THE NIGRO FAMILY ..................................................................................41 BE A PART OF THE MAGIC ...................................................................43 THEN AND NOW: THE FREW FAMILY................................................44 THE NUCKOLS FAMILY ...........................................................................45 SPEEDWAY CHILDREN’S CHARITIES/JC PENNEY .......................47 THEN AND NOW: COURTNEY HICKMAN ........................................48 THE ROBINSON FAMILY .........................................................................49 COOPER-ATLANTA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ......................51 IMAGINE IT!/ POSH TOT EVENTS ......................................................52 THE STARK FAMILY .................................................................................53 2009 TRIP SCRAPBOOK .......................................................................55 STACEY’S LETTER ...................................................................................65

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

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I’VE SEEN THE IMPACT OF WHAT THE GIFT OF TIME CAN DO TO FAMILIES THAT ARE CONSTANTLY PRESSURED, WONDERING WHEN THEIR WORST FEARS WILL BE REALIZED. -BERT WEISS

the vision... A MESSAGE FROM BERT WEISS

hen we started to conceptualize Bert’s Big Adventure in 2002, we only dreamed of the impact that this trip could have on children with chronic or terminal illnesses and their families. We knew that getting the entire family out of their routine and putting them in the most magical place on earth, Walt Disney World, could be, well, magical. Several trips later, with the help of The Bert Show radio-listening community, our dreams have completely been realized! Let me share some of the moments from Bert’s Big Adventure that best capture what this trip means to these families. I’ve seen the most introverted kids come to life when interacting with other kids on the trip. I’ve seen parents cry when watching their wheelchair-bound child challenge himself to enjoy the thrill of being in a swimming pool for the ﬁrst time. I’ve seen the despair in parents’ faces eliminated when they watch their child belly laugh for the ﬁrst time in years. I’ve heard the group laughter of children being the center of attention as the world waved back when they were Grand Marshalls in the Walt Disney World parade. I’ve seen the wide-eyed amazement from children staring into the eyes of characters they’ve only seen in movies and books. I’ve seen the impact of what the gift of time can do to families that are constantly pressured, wondering when their worst fears will be realized. When you take a peek into the daily lives of the families

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dealing with children that have chronic or terminal illnesses, you can understand why one, expense-free trip to Walt Disney World is so impactful. Their daily lives include ﬁghting with the transporting of wheelchairs, watching their child exhausted after another round of chemotherapy, the strain of being sure the proper pills are being taken at the right time or the uncertainty of knowing if they can pay the enormous medical bills. Through the Walt Disney World trip, and now, Reunion Adventures, Bert’s Big Adventure simply takes these families away from the daily routine of stress and provides intimate time where, for a few short moments, their focus turns from a doctor to Mickey Mouse instead. The sight of another hospital is replaced by Cinderella’s castle. Rather than going to the clinic or therapist, they’re re-uniting with friends. Pain turns into laughter. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONTINUING TO MAKE THESE MAGICAL MOMENTS POSSIBLE.

Bert Weiss Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

what is bba? ONCE UPON A TIME...

n 1996, Atlanta morning radio personality Bert Weiss’ life changed when he took a trip to Walt Disney World with 100 children with chronic or terminal illnesses as part of Kidd’s Kids, an organization based in Dallas, Texas. “It took me a weekend at Walt Disney World with these kids to realize how blessed my life had been,” said Weiss. “Most of these kids had never lived a day in their life that wasn’t a struggle.” Weiss, who came to Atlanta in 2001 to host The Bert Show on All the Hits Q100 (99.7 FM), was inspired by his previous experience and launched a similar organization of his own. His goal was to provide an unforgettable event for Atlanta-area children stricken with chronic and/or terminal illnesses and their families. In 2002, Weiss and his wife, Stacey, established Bert’s Big Adventure as an official tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-proﬁt organization. Their mission was to organize an annual trip to Orlando for those whose special needs may otherwise hinder such a trip, covering the expenses of all travel, accommodations, meals and admission to Walt Disney World. In March 2003, Bert’s Big Adventure made its inaugural trip to Walt Disney World with seven children and their families. Since then, the organization has grown considerably. Annually, families are chosen for this trip of a lifetime and continue to beneﬁt from Bert’s Big Adventure’s charitable contributions.

OUR MISSION... Bert’s Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a spectacular five day journey to Walt Disney World for children with a chronic and/or terminal illness and their families. This trip and the year round programs that follow each adventure allow participants to… • Establish lasting friendships with others facing similar challenges, • Experience events and venues that otherwise could not be afforded • Enjoy the gift of intimate family time together where the focus turns from living with an illness to making magical moments Bert’s Big Adventure serves children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old, live in The Bert Show radio listening area (All the Hits Q100, 99.7 FM) in metro Atlanta, prove financial need and have never been to Walt Disney World®. Once a family has been chosen for Bert’s Big Adventure, they are a Bert’s Big Adventure family for life. In addition to the trip and year round programs, Bert’s Big Adventure provides certain additional charitable services that are necessary to the fulfillment of its charitable purpose.

Headshot

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THIS TRIP WASN’T ABOUT THEIR DIFFERENCES. IT WAS JUST ABOUT THEM BEING KIDS. The Amerson Family

-ROSE (RAVEN’S MOM)

” Dear Jonah, …I will always remember the day you met Buzz Lightyear. I will tell you the story of this day as many times as you want to hear it, in case there are ever parts you forget as you grow up. I will always love you “to inﬁnity and beyond.” I love you so much, Mom

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

FOR FOUR SHORT DAYS, I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO BE A “NORMAL” MOM. I WAS ALLOWED TO RELAX AND ENJOY MY CHILDREN FOR WHO THEY ARE. -CHERIE BAXTER

”

BY SARAH GLEIM

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raven... THE AMERSON FAMILY

Untesequunt A sk 11-year-old volum Raven volestia Amerson nusamwhat in essequide she wants oftociis fi beet when expeshe eatem grows aped upestis andsit she’ll estion tellrepudam you a docrerae vollati tor. “I want dolupta to be the tatatat head atiorpo of diagnostics rerfera tectorrum so I can ipsum fi gure out facidi what’s quamwrong voluptatur, with people. te sustio. And Nam I want enest to aut magnatium work at Children’s quebecause conectatio. I want Nequam to help eossick sinto kids et et offi get better.” ctem ilit Ofquae course, venimagnis a few years solum ago quis she quam might et odiam,said have cuma que ballerina nus etor undebitat a princess, ius volendi but that dolupwas tas comnimpore before she was diagnosed del isto temoluptam with Ewing’s que Sarcoma, mi, sunt a facestrum rare form of num cancer acerione that enihil developed et, ium a tumor quias in dither ut unt utcavity sinus illantio and dunt eventually moluptaslanded miniasher esto in maxime Children’s litendi doloremporem Healthcare of Atlanta rereri for re months. doluptat eos sam quam nimus “It was nectio really molupient dumb luck alique that coribus we found veles it,” says poratus her mother, Rose Brown. “She didn’t really signs othsitatur, unt audaescid estiassum ethave mostany offi c totaeer thansibeing lethargic congested, but we all have bad ratur berfern aturioand estiur? allergies, thought she had a sinusteinfection. Igni nobitsoinwe estrum acearci molupti nonsequWhen ider-I heard cancer, it took a couple of minutes process it, rov itatus eaquo te me doloreptatus et quamtoquid quunt but then I susdandit threw up.” adistrum ium sequibus suntio tevolorites Despite the severity of her diagnosis—her first two molor ehendunti resto velit voles por audiae as sunto weeks were very erchiciat touch andquam go—itquae was num Raven that nevexplabo riatemp serum que er lostqui hope. “When we aliqui first told her quatem it was cancer, she none dolorest omni samus dolumque couldn’t talket but she gave me a thumbs up,” says. ea sit quis estiusae rerfera dem. Offi cilBrown ipiderit re“She niscition immediately dealtetwith it bettervolor thansolupti I could.iduciet That’s niae porupid ut fugiam, when I was like, ‘Okay. takedi care this.’” voluptaslacipsa peliquuntis utLet’s haribus conofporrore Soquam the entire family manned up facepres and stayedutpositive ped ut velecullam enet accaband iptried to es make it as easy as possible. got reallyverum upset samet as nesequae porum quo“She toreptiusda when she learned she qui wassunt. going to lose her hair,” Brown natiam hilit venisque says. “So before it could fall out we shaved her head and Optat fugit litataqui ommo bearum eos sundant liquid gave hermolum a Mohawk and dyed it bright purple.” erum illupminihit ari cum vendaep ellesecum Butaborrum the 32 sessions chemotherapy andidsixquid weeks of tatur ut lautof evel ma quia sant, quae radiation treatments were tough imus. on her little body. “After poreiumquid qui voloria spellab shepore had been so alitatur sick, shesitold me that she wanted to quo talk Et plis re quam et, solendit as si to the younger, sick kids to let them know that it would be blaborro te pellate sinias aut quam eum corrum non alright,” Brown says. “I think the entirenis experience really plat laboria ectiusdae. Ut prorporum imet por atem made quideserum her grow up fast.” haris quam sus. So did the team at Bert’s Adventure andeum that’s why Seque porecte plab il ius Big molorum quae quunt they chose and her family be part of trip labor simetRaven doluptatur aut ipietto eumquas auttheir evendi to Walt Disney World. “I ciasperitium got to go andaut have really good quas mos sit omnimus iurama cusandtime,” Raven says. “It made me feel because I got to unt qui dis rerum ulpa alitisti congood et volut molor sinis talkexcestis to a lot doles of thenos other kids aboutatus howsumquod things willisseget ne voloreptatur better comniae for them.struntis But it made me sad, too, because it requam audigenim explibus aut molupminded mequia of what through.” ta assint ditiisI went et arum verae soluptatus dolestr Of course Raven knew she was on the trip because she umenist, cupta consequi aspelit atiores totame explahad been but that didn’tfuga. matter to idi hertem in the least. bore, ullo sick, idundi tem facest Atis faccusa “They are nimin all sicknimusam but they ipsam, are still exerum just kids,” Brownribussays. voluptae volorro “Thissolore trip wasn’t am dolor about aut ettheir differences. It was just about them being kids.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

Kerrie & Jonah Henneberg KimberlyMilliron & DevonNigro

Drew & Candi Kruszynski

family BY: MEREDITH A. LEY

pon entering the tent for the gathering, you would think you were walking into a child’s birthday party. There is a monstrous moonwalk, popcorn, snow cones, a face painter and colorful bouquets of swirling, sweet cotton candy. Families gathered at tables adorned in the finest red and white picnic style cloths to catch up, while little ones scurried about with their pals. But if you were really paying attention, you would notice some children sporting bandages, scars from surgeries and maybe even a tube here and there. This was not a birthday party. It’s an annual reunion for Bert’s Big Adventure, a 5-day trip to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families.

“For some of us, we haven’t seen each other since the trip- we pick up right where we left off. And then some of us talk once a month if not once a week,” says Kerrie Henneberg whose son Jonah, 6, was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia at 4 months. At the time, she, Candi Kruszynski and Kimberly Milliron, were single mothers, each with a son on the 2009 trip. Unfortunately, Kimberly and her son Devon, 6, were unable to attend the reunion, but Candi and Kerrie explained it was the single mom common denominator which allowed them to come away with a long lasting bond. “We can look at each other and know exactly how the other is feeling. It’s in their eyes. We all have family and friends, but they don’t have sick children so it’s hard for them

THEN & now: brandon & denzel

B Y : M E R E D I T H A. L E Y

randon Perkins, now 11, went on the 2006 trip after being diagnosed with Opitz Syndrome at a young age and has always communicated using sign language. It was there where he met Denzel. “He was really excited to meet Denzel on the trip because he could also sign. They now go to school and ride the bus together! [Brandon] worries about Denzel if he is not on the bus. I always check and Denzel & Brandon make sure he is okay,” says his mother Pam. While Bert’s Big Adventure is indeed a trip to Walt Disney World, it also goes beyond what is expected, providing lasting memories and the opportunity for these families to connect and have fellowship that continues long after they return home. Program founder, Bert Weiss of Q100’s The Bert Show, still gets excited when he explains their purpose. “It’s a whole bunch of parents and kids going through similar circumstances. The goal is not just to have the trips and reunions, but also to make sure the families stay connected. Its like a big security net.” Judging by the reunion, Bert’s Big Adventure is doing just that. It’s showing no sign of slowing down, thanks to it’s many volunteers and supporters. It is expected that many more families will be given the gift of time together and support for years to come.

then:

to relate,” adds Candi Kruszynski, whose son Drew, 5, Jonah and Devon have become friends. “I knew I could call Candi at five in the morning and say, ‘we have to go to the hospital. I need support,’ and she would be there,” Henneberg says. We pause to watch Drew and Jonah play while waiting in line for face painting. Kruszynski explains, “We keep up with each others appointments, surgeries, disappointments and triumphs. I feel like we are a family. Maybe not the kind that I would ask for, given our sick children, but a family nonetheless. We are each other’s support team.” As for the little ones, they are just happy to get to be kids and make friends on the trip.

now:

volunteer spotlight YOUR HEART IS NOT WHAT YOU SEE, BUT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BEHIND-THE-SCENES CONTRIBUTORS TO KEEP YOU MOVING FORWARD. CINDY POWERS AND LISA KINCHEN-WATSON TRULY REPRESENT TWO HEARTS RUNNING STRONG BEHIND BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE...COMING UP WITH NEW IDEAS FOR THE KIDS, FUNDRAISING AND FULFILLING WISH LISTS ARE JUST SOME OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS CINDY AND LISA PROVIDE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE FAMILIES. Cindy, center, surrounded by the many characters she brings to the send-off.

By: Lauren Leong

CREATING MAGICAL MEMORIES Listening to the Bert Show, and inspired by the commitment from Bert and Stacy, Cindy was determined to help. Wanting to contribute in her own way, Cindy started to lobby her employers to become a corporate sponsor of Bert’s Big Adventure in 2004. When the “big check” didn’t come through, Cindy re-routed to start a grass roots campaign in her office. Creative ideas were generated and enough money was raised through this effort to provide gift cards, Disney t-shirts and pajamas for the trip and Disney character costumes at the send-off party. Six years later these costumes are still one of the most exciting parts of the send-off and one of the first signs to all the families that there is more fun to come! “Anything we can think of to make their lives more magical” is what Cindy and her grass roots campaigns work toward.

CINDY POWERS HEARTFELT CONNECTIONS Lisa, “the Connector,” ﬁrst met Bert and Stacey through Usher’s New Look Foundation, fell in love with Bert’s Big Adventure, and wanted to help. Lisa’s background as a magazine editor was extremely helpful with the initial planning of Magical Moments magazine Last year, Lisa saw that there was a wish list of items still needed for the trip... and went to work. Reaching out to her friend Mike Hall from JC Penney, (who in Lisa’s words, “has the biggest heart of anyone I know”) Lisa wanted to see how much money they could raise for the wish list items. Through instore bake sales in 16 JC Penney stores, Mike was able to raise all the money needed for the items.

Then Lisa and Mike got to shop! Lisa’s involvement with Bert’s Big Adventure is an inspiration and truly shows that anything can be done with a little love and connectivity. Lisa Kinchen & Amy Moosbrugger

CINDY AND LISA CONTINUE TO GENERATE NEW IDEAS, ACTIVITIES AND FUNDRAISERS TO PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT TO MANY FAMILIES BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE TRIP. AS SPECIAL MEMORIES ARE MADE AND HEARTS ARE TOUCHED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THESE TWO EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN, ONE QUOTE AND A SMILE WRAP IT UP THE BEST:

“volunteers love in

are

motion

LISA KINCHEN

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

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Headshot

The Amerson Family

Dear Jonah, …I will always remember the day you met Buzz Lightyear. I will tell you the story of this day as many times as you want to hear it, in case there are ever parts you forget as you grow up. I will always love you “to inﬁnity and beyond.” I love you so much, Mom

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

FOR THE FOURFRIENDSHIPS SHORT DAYS, THAT I WAS WE GIVEN FORMED PERMISSION ON THIS TO TRIP BE A “NORMAL” WERE LIFELONG. MOM. -CINDY (MICHAEL’S MOM) I WAS ALLOWED TO

” ”

RELAX AND ENJOY MY CHILDREN FOR WHO THEY ARE. -CHERIE BAXTER

BY DANA HAZELS SEITH

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michael... THE CLENDENIN FAMILY

Michael Clendenin’s middle name should be Fearless. Nothing slows this 7, almost 8-year-old down, despite being diagnosed with Esosinophilic Esophagitis THEat AMERSON the young FAMILY age of 2 ½. The very simplified explanation Untesequuntofvolum his diagnosis volestia essentially nusam in essequide means heofis allergic ficiis et expe to every eatem foodaped except estis four–potatoes, sit estion repudam chicken, rebroccoli, rae vollatiand dolupta oatmeal; tatatat theatiorpo only condiments rerfera tectorrum he can use ipsum alongside facidi quam thosevoluptatur, foods are–sugar, te sustio. oil, and Nam salt. enest autWhile magnatium Michael’sque dietconectatio. cannot be adventurous, Nequam eoshis sinto life et is. During Bert’s ilit Bigquae Adventure, Michaelsolum rode aquis plane for the et offictem venimagnis quam et very firstcum timeque and nus was et thrilled about that. He loved walkodiam, undebitat ius volendi doluping through the hanger to catch the flight que and bypassing tas comnimpore del isto temoluptam mi, sunt the airport terminal. But, hisenihil favorite of the facestrum num acerione et,moment ium quias dittrip ut was ut riding a roller coaster with Bert…this thrill-seeker rode unt illantio dunt moluptas minias esto maxime lievery single coaster at rereri Walt Disney World. eos sam quam tendi doloremporem re doluptat The nectio trip itself was unbelievable, but Michael’s mother nimus molupient alique coribus veles poratus Cindy thinks the most incredible thing thecBBA exsitatur, unt audaescid estiassum et about most offi totaeperience was interacting with and meeting all the other ratur si berfern aturio estiur? families that the trip, molupti she says,te “Even thoughiderthe Igni nobit in shared estrumin acearci nonsequ circumstances are te diffdoloreptatus erent, we all know whatquid eachquunt other rov itatus eaquo et quam goes through everyday just having child withsuntio a chronic volorites susdandit adistrum iumasequibus teor terminal illness.”resto She fivelit nishes, “The friendships we molor ehendunti voles por audiae asthat sunto formed onriatemp this triperchiciat were lifelong.” explabo quam quae num serum que Michael is very outgoing and does notquatem let his disease stop none qui dolorest omni aliqui samus dolumque him,sit even when he’s around other kids eat pizza ea quis et estiusae rerfera dem.who Offiget cil to ipiderit reand hamburgers, he’ll eat chicken and gosolupti on likeiduciet there’s niae niscition porupid et his ut fugiam, volor nothing peliquuntis different in his than everyone else. He’s also a lacipsa ut life haribus di con porrore voluptasfighter–just after hisenet last surgery where new gasped quam 3uthours velecullam facepres ut aaccab iptric feeding tube (G-tube) porum was putquo in, he was walkingverum down samet es as nesequae toreptiusda the hall hilit because he didn’t natiam venisque qui want sunt.to be sitting in his hospital bed. Cindy reiterates, doesn’t want to be down. He wants Optat fugit litataqui“He ommo bearum eos sundant liquid to be able to do ari anything any otherellesecum child can do. At school minihit molum cum vendaep erum illupMichael is not pointed outevel or given special treatment.” tatur aborrum ut laut ma quia sant, id quid quae Grace, Michael’s younger sisterimus. is especially nurturing poreiumquid qui voloria spellab with him and onsi Esosinophilic Esophagitis, Et pore plis educated re alitatur quam et, solendit as always si quo willing to help when needed. When Michael his surgerblaborro te pellate sinias aut quam eumhas corrum non ies Grace likes to be byUt hisprorporum side to make sure he’s okay. plat laboria ectiusdae. nis imet por atem When quideserum not at school, Michael’s haris quam sus. favorite activities are playing soccer and video Cindy says, “He’seum just got an Seque porecte plabgames. il ius molorum quae quunt amazing willingness to want do for others even labor simet doluptatur auttoipiet eumquas aut though evendi he hasmos his own issues. Michael doesn’taut know erent quas sit omnimus ciasperitium iur any ma diff cusandand this is his normal.” unt qui dis rerum ulpa alitisti con et volut molor sinis in point–Michael is in the process of fundraising ne Case excestis doles nos voloreptatur atus sumquod issefor an upcoming surgery and medical explibus bills, but aut has molupalready quam comniae struntis audigenim asked his parents if heet can set aside a portion of thedolestr money ta assint quia ditiis arum verae soluptatus that is raised for him to donate to other kids that might need umenist, cupta consequi aspelit atiores totame explait as well. entire familyAtis is so to the bore, ullo The idundi temClendenin facest fuga. idigrateful tem faccusa Bert’s Big Adventure experience, theexerum memories that they will voluptae nimin nimusam ipsam, volorro ribusholdsolore dear indolor their hearts am aut etfor years to come. Michael is already dreaming of ways to add more adventure to his life.

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

magicmaker... Atlantic Southeast Airlines

WHEN’S THIS YEAR’S BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE TRIP?

AROUND THE FIRST OF EACH YEAR, ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES’ (ASA) EMPLOYEES START ASKING, “WHEN’S THIS YEAR’S BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE (BBA) TRIP?” IT’S ABOUT THAT SAME TIME THAT ASA POSTS A STORY ON ITS INTRANET ASKING EMPLOYEES TO SUBMIT ESSAYS ABOUT WHY THEY SHOULD BE CHOSEN FOR THE COVETED CREW POSITIONS TO FLY THE ADVENTURERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO “THE MOST MAGICAL PLACE ON EARTH.” According to Kate Modolo, ASA’s director of Corporate Communications and Culture, ASA considers itself “extremely fortunate” to be part of Bert’s Big Adventure. In 2003 ASA operated its first BBA charter between Atlanta and Orlando. At that time, Delta was the airline sponsor for the event and hired Atlanta-based Delta Connection carrier ASA to operate the flight – its 70-seat aircraft were a “perfect fit” for the number of adventurers. Since then, ASA has operated all but one of the BBA flights. In 2008, ASA became the official airline sponsor of Bert’s Big Adventure and has been able to add its own brand of spectacular to the trip. “People from every division on the ASA team come together for this event to make it special for the families and our airline,” Modolo said. “We literally roll out the red carpet for the departure and arrival flights, make sure our hangar is packed with as many waving and cheering ASA people as we can and assign volunteers to each family to make sure they feel special on their way to the aircraft.” Departing from ASA’s hangar on the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport property is a big change that came with ASA’s sponsorship. Once the families enter the hangar, ASA has a special security screening area set up to make it stress-free for the families to be cleared for flight. It’s at that point that the BBA families start their walk to the red carpet that leads to the aircraft. Streamers define the walkway that is lined with hundreds of ASA volunteers. At first glance, operating the Bert’s Big Adventure flight looks effortless. According to Amy Moosbrugger, BBA Program Director, it’s anything but that. “I start attending regular meetings each year at ASA during the fall before the adventure, so I really get some good insight into what it takes to pull this trip off,” she said. “There are so many moving parts that ASA coordinates, and any request we have is welcomed with a ‘no problem!’” In addition to providing the aircraft and crew, ASA also coordinates and sponsors security screenings in Atlanta and Orlando, ground crews at both locations, onboard charter coordinators for both flights, and special-request inflight meals. “They even send our bags on a separate flight and get them to our rooms before we arrive,” said Moosbrugger. “We try to make the return home as special as their departure,” Modolo said. “As soon as that plane comes into view, ASA people gather at the massive hangar doors and start waving the plane in. It’s really an amazing site and it’s easy for us to see that ASA gets as much out of Bert’s Big Adventure as the BBA families.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • 404.303.8312 ‘magical moments’ magazine • 2009

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The Amerson Family

www.bertsbigadventure.org â&#x20AC;˘ magical moments magazine â&#x20AC;˘ 2009 Inaugural Issue

BY KIRSTEN OTT PALLADINO

“

FOR FOUR SHORT DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

”

BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE PERMISSION TO BE WAS MORE THAN I

COULD’VE EVER IMAGINED IT TO BE. CHRISTIAN HAD SO MUCH FUN. -CARRIE (CHRISTIAN’S MOM)

”

christian... an a n n. THE GARCIA FAMILY

Thirteen cases of pneumonia in a span of two years severely damaged some of Christian Garcia’s bronchial tubes, leading him to develop bronchiectasis. He had a kidney transplant in 2002. He’s now 8, and has asthma THE AMERSON and moderate FAMILYto severe hearing loss in Untesequunt both ears. Christian’s volum volestia mom, Carrie, nusam says in essequide his childhood officiisso has etfar expe consisted eatem aped of “aestis lot of sitdoctors estion repudam visits andrea rae of lot vollati hospital dolupta stays. tatatat He’s terrifi atiorpo ed rerfera of hospitals, tectorrum he’s ipsumed terrifi facidi of the quam doctor’s voluptatur, office.” te sustio. Christian Nam also enest reaut magnatium ceives infusionsque every conectatio. three weeks Nequam that last eos at sinto least et et offi two hours ctemto ilitgive quae him venimagnis the antibodies solumthat quis his quam body et odiam,for needs cum anque immune nus et defi undebitat ciency discovered ius volendijust dolupbetas comnimpore fore the Bert’s Bigdel Adventure isto temoluptam trip. que mi, sunt facestrum Carrie’s devoted num acerione to Christian’s enihilcare et, ium around quias the dit clock, ut leaving time for employment. reallymaxime tight right unt ut no illantio dunt moluptas“Money miniasisesto linow, but he needs me rereri and so here,” Carrie says.quam With tendi doloremporem reI’m doluptat eos sam understandable multiple health financial nimus nectio molupient alique and coribus velesconcerns, poratus travelingunt hasn’t been a big part of Christian andoffi Carrie’s life. sitatur, audaescid estiassum et most c totae“Christian never would’ve experienced Walt Disney World if ratur si berfern aturio estiur? it weren’t Bigacearci Adventure,” Carrietesays. And experiIgni nobitfor in Bert’s estrum molupti nonsequ iderenceitatus it he did. “It was more than I could’ve everquid imagined it rov eaquo te doloreptatus et quam quunt to be. Christian had soadistrum much fun.”ium sequibus suntio tevolorites susdandit Oneehendunti of the many perks—intentional or not—of Bert’s molor resto velit voles por audiae as sunto Big Adventure is that it brings together children and adults explabo riatemp erchiciat quam quae num serum que who might not haveomni normally otherwise. The common none qui dolorest aliquimet samus quatem dolumque thread of having special needs in your family is appreciated ea sit quis et estiusae rerfera dem. Officil ipiderit rebeyond explanation. sympathize with niae niscition porupidOther et ut people fugiam,can volor solupti iduciet what BBA families go their needsvoluptasand diffilacipsa peliquuntis utthrough haribuswith di con porrore culties, but other BBA families empathize. And kids deped quam ut velecullam enet facepres utthe accab ipvelop a es whole new meaning of the word cool. Carrie says, samet as nesequae porum quo toreptiusda verum “We formed pretty great natiam hilitavenisque quibond sunt.with Michael Clendenin and his family. Michael were eos like sundant two littleliquid peas Optat fugitChristian litataquiand ommo bearum in a pod.molum They were together all theellesecum time. And erum afterwards, minihit ari cum vendaep illupwe all aborrum really connected. We ma all talk. all id know tatur ut laut evel quia We sant, quidwhat’s quae going on withqui thevoloria others’spellab children. We keep in touch and poreiumquid imus. stillpore get together and dosithings. all formed Et plis re alitatur quamWe’ve et, solendit as lasting si quo bonds andte friendships from this. Our support network non has blaborro pellate sinias aut quam eum corrum greatly increased. TheseUt people understand [what goplat laboria ectiusdae. prorporum nis imet porI’m atem ing through] probably more than I’ll ever realize.” haris quideserum quam sus. He made a friend in ilQ100’s co-host Melissa Carter, who Seque porecte plab ius molorum quae eum quunt also had a kidney transplant 2002. “Melissa spent a day labor simet doluptatur autinipiet eumquas aut evendi with us,” Carrie. “I talked to her aaut good her quas mossays sit omnimus ciasperitium iurbit maabout cusandtransplant. Christian thought was coolmolor that she’d unt qui dis And rerum ulpa alitisti conit et volut sinis hadexcestis a kidney doles transplant, too. ne nos voloreptatur atus sumquod isseThecomniae entire team that audigenim comes together to create Bert’s quam struntis explibus aut molupBigassint Adventure a host of soluptatus talents to Carrie and ta quiademonstrated ditiis et arum verae dolestr Christian. She says, “The tripaspelit was full of no worries. was a umenist, cupta consequi atiores totameItexplalot funullo withidundi nothing to facest worry about. youidihad a question, bore, tem fuga. If Atis tem faccusa they’d takenimin care nimusam of it. The staff wasexerum willing, volorro helpful and alvoluptae ipsam, ribuswayssolore there.dolor They aut don’t am etmake words to describe what that trip meant to us.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

amy

MOOSBRUGGER PROGRAM DIRECTOR, BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE

By Katie Jones

hen Amy Moosbrugger decided to go back to work after three years as a stayat-home-mom, she knew that it would have to be for a cause she believed in. As a long time listener of The Bert Show, she was familiar with Bert’s Big Adventure (BBA), and when word got out that the organization was looking for a new Program Director, Amy jumped at the opportunity to put her name in the ring. Nearly two years later, it is clear that her experience with BBA has had a tremendous impact on her life, and she has had a tremendous impact on dozens of families and children with life threatening illnesses. BBA is currently planning its 8th trip to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families, and Amy is planning her second trip as the organization’s Program Director. “To say each of the families is deserving of such a trip is an understatement. But to have the opportunity to share the experience with them is

truly a gift for me,” Amy shared. And it is that aspect of BBA, where the staff actually accompanies the families through the theme park, that Amy thinks makes BBA different from other organizations. “We encourage parents to allow us, as the staff, to worry about the details and schedules so they can enjoy every minute with their children.” For Amy, it is also a chance to see why Bert Weiss started this organization in the ﬁrst place. She recalls the story of Jonah, a little boy with a big dream – to meet Buzz Lightyear. “After Jonah changed into his Buzz Lightyear costume (complete with blow up wings), we headed for Tomorrowland, home of the Buzz Lightyear ride. As we exited the ride we saw Buzz, himself, signing autographs. With eyes as big as the moon, Jonah waited patiently for his turn to meet his favorite Disney character. Then, the moment happened. Buzz spotted Jonah, snapped to attention, and saluted this small 6 year old Buzz as if he were leader of the galaxy. In true

Buzz Lightyear form, Jonah, with the biggest smile on his face, came to attention and saluted him right back. Both [his mother] and I had tears streaming down our faces. It was his special moment and I was able to be a part of that.” Her job certainly allows her the chance to be part of many special, heartwarming moments like Jonah’s, but she also receives those heartbreaking phone calls or emails. “What always amazes me though is that with each obstacle these children face, they push through with unbelievable determination and will - greater than that which I have seen from any adult,” she says. And maybe that is where Amy gains the strength and inspiration to keep doing the work she does, which is nothing short of extraordinary. Amy speaks of her job as though it is the most natural thing in the world, as though anyone would surely do the same. But for the families and children she works with, Amy Moosbrugger truly does nothing short of making dreams come true. .

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

medical staff BERT’S MEDICAL TEAM IS PREPARED FOR EVERY EMERGENCY....INCLUDING FUN!

r. Michelle Presley, Dr. Tom McQuail and Nurse Cathy Robinson all plan their year around the same weekend – the annual trip to Walt Disney World with Bert’s Big Adventure (BBA). They join selected children and their families for a few days of fun, relaxation and friendship. And they wouldn’t miss it for the world.

“

Dr. Michelle, a pediatrician who works for Kennestone Hospital, has been on every trip since BBA’s inception in 2003. She recruited Dr. TO SEE WALT Tom, an orthopedic surgeon, also at DISNEY WORLD Kennestone, and Nurse Cathy, from THROUGH Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at THE EYES OF Town Center. “Friends of mine listen to Bert’s THESE KIDS show. Bert was talking one mornIS AMAZING ing about doing this trip and they needed a doctor to accompany -DR. MICHELLE them,” she recalls. “My friends called me up and told me I had to do it. I remember meeting Bert and as he told me about his plan to take chronically and terminally ill children to Walt Disney World, I thought, sign me up!” Dr. Tom joined BBA the following year, and Nurse Cathy was on board by the third trip. And they make an amazing team. The trio works together to provide the children and families any and all needed medical assistance. Fortunately, their professional services have rarely been required. “There have been some scraped knees, some colds. We’re there to make the parents feel better. Their lives are deﬁned by going to doctors and hospitals. Since we’re there, the parents can relax knowing we can handle anything that may come up,” says Nurse Cathy. The key to having few – if any – medical concerns on the trip comes from the process of fully understanding the children and their medical situation and capabilities. Each trip, the team develops friendships with the participating families. “We’ve all become an extended family,” says Dr. Tom. “Every year these children touch your life, so we stay in contact with one another. We get so much more from the trip then we could ever give.” Dr. Michelle states, “To see Walt Disney World through the eyes of these kids is amazing. They want to experience everything and they have so much fun. For one weekend they have no worries. Just to see their faces is the best thing in the world.” For Nurse Cathy, the trip and the children help put life into perspective. “Being with these kids is a reality check,” says Nurse Cathy. “They’re amazing and I’m in awe of them. This is the best thing I’ve ever done.” It seems as if Bert’s Big Adventure has its medical team ﬁrmly in place. “As long as there’s a Bert’s Big Adventure, I’ll be there,” says Dr. Michelle.

“Dr. Michelle” Presley & Drew

” “Dr. Tom” McQuail & Ella

BY MARY WELCH “Nurse Cathy” Robinson & Maddi

Headshot

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WITH MADDI’S ILLNESS AND THE FAMILY JUGGLING TO KEEP A BALANCE, THE IDEA OF A TRIP TO WALT DISNEY WORLD SOUNDED LIKE A DREAM. -LARA (MADDI’S MOM)

The Amerson Family

”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

FOR FOUR SHORT DAYS, I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO BE A “NORMAL” MOM. I WAS ALLOWED TO RELAX AND ENJOY MY CHILDREN FOR WHO THEY ARE. -CHERIE BAXTER

”

BY MOLLY BRANCH

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maddi... THE GOSS FAMILY

Picture this: a five-year-old little girl, bright eyed, her THEface AMERSON glowing. Her FAMILY Cinderella dress fit perfectly and Untesequunt with a whole volum newvolestia head ofnusam hair, she in proudly essequide bares ofa ficiis dazzling et expe jeweled eatemtiara. apedHer estis name sit estion is Maddi repudam Goss, and reshe rae vollati is recovering dolupta from tatatat stage atiorpo IV liverrerfera cancer. tectorrum ipsum Maddi facidi was diagnosed quam voluptatur, with Hepatoblastoma te sustio. Nam at two enest and half magnatium years old. Theque doctors gave herNequam a twenty-fi vesinto percent aut conectatio. eos et chance of survival. Hervenimagnis parents, Lara and quis Glenn, agreed et offictem ilit quae solum quam et with hercum doctor that a full of chemotherapy her odiam, que nus et round undebitat ius volendiwas dolupbest comnimpore chance at beating the cancer. “It all took place tas del isto temoluptam que mi,within sunt a year,” said num Lara, acerione Maddi’s mother. emotionally facestrum enihil “It et,was iumanquias dit ut difficult time fordunt us all.”moluptas minias esto maxime liunt ut illantio Onedoloremporem round of chemotherapy became four, a tendi rereri re doluptat eos and samafter quam couple nectio of months it became obvious that Maddi’s medical nimus molupient alique coribus veles poratus conditionunt needed round-the-clock attention. After sitatur, audaescid estiassum et most offispending c totaemonths the hospital, Maddi received a liver transplant. Her ratur siinberfern aturio estiur? family was nervous butacearci hopeful. molupti Showering little lifeiderwith Igni nobit in estrum tethis nonsequ prayer and encouragement, they awaited the results. rov itatus eaquo te doloreptatus et quam quid quunt After the surgery, her blood work back clear. There volorites susdandit adistrum iumcame sequibus suntio tewas noehendunti trace of cancer. doctors were surprised,” molor resto“Even velit the voles por audiae as sunto said Lara.riatemp With a twenty-fi vequam percent chance survival, it explabo erchiciat quae numofserum que was an amazing victory. “We were so thankful,” tells Lara. none qui dolorest omni aliqui samus quatem dolumque “God work in statistics.” moments in life ea sitdoesn’t quis et estiusae rerferaThere dem.are Offi cil ipiderit redifficult to describe on et paper and forvolor the Goss family this niae niscition porupid ut fugiam, solupti iduciet was onepeliquuntis of them. lacipsa ut haribus di con porrore voluptasDuring their monthsenet of hospital staysut and doctors’ ped quam ut many velecullam facepres accab ipvisits, Lara, become close friends nurse,verum Cathy. samet es as nesequae porum with quo Maddi’s toreptiusda She informed Lara about natiam hilit venisque quiBert’s sunt. Big Adventure and urged her to apply. was interested, but I wasn’t I wouldliquid hear Optat fugit “Ilitataqui ommo bearum eossure sundant anythingmolum back,” ari shecum said.vendaep But with ellesecum Maddi’s illness andillupthe minihit erum family aborrum juggling toutkeep balance, the idea of id a trip Walt tatur lautaevel ma quia sant, quidtoquae Disney World sounded likespellab a dream.imus. poreiumquid qui voloria arrived with et, a phone call as from Et The poreexciting plis re news alitatur si quam solendit si Bert quo himself. “I te stillpellate remember theaut dayquam when eum my husband blaborro sinias corrumand nonI told the kids ectiusdae. we were going Bert’s Bignis Adventure Walt plat laboria Ut on prorporum imet portoatem Disneyquideserum World,” Lara quam said, joy erupting in her voice. “Maddi haris sus. was so happy. Sheplab couldn’t to see all her favorite Walt Seque porecte il iuswait molorum quae eum quunt Disneysimet characters.” labor doluptatur aut ipiet eumquas aut evendi Thanks generosity of Bert’s aut organization and its quas mos to sitthe omnimus ciasperitium iur ma cusandsupporters, heralitisti familycon wereetable to discover the unt qui dis Maddi rerumand ulpa volut molor sinis magic of Walt Disney World. The Goss’ were overwhelmed ne excestis doles nos voloreptatur atus sumquod issewith the care andstruntis attention to detail inexplibus this dream quam comniae audigenim autvacation. molup“The amount of ditiis attention Bert’sverae team gives to the families, ta assint quia et arum soluptatus dolestr it’s truly genuine,” said Lara. “You atiores are being loved explaby so umenist, cupta consequi aspelit totame many ullo goodidundi people. It’sfacest a sincere feeling and bore, tem fuga. Atis of idi love, tem care faccusa selflessness.” Bert’s Big Adventure priceless voluptae nimin nimusam ipsam, created exerum many volorro ribusmoments the aut Goss am solorefor dolor etfamily. It was an experience to last a lifetime.

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

magicmaker... Country Club of Roswell

My name is Matt Grayson and I am the Athletic / Tennis Director at the County Club of Roswell. The Country

Photos this page: Cindy Powers

Club of Roswell has been holding a Tennis Charity Pro-am Invitational Tournament for the last 31 years. Each year we meet to determine which local charity we want our event to benefit. As a listener of The Bert Show, I had heard about the BBA trip and knew basically what it was about. On the morning of our beneficiary meeting, The Bert Show had an interview with one of the kids who had been on a past trip. After hearing how this trip affected this child’s life I knew the charity I wanted to push forward that evening. We have been benefiting BBA ever since (2006). It is a perfect fit for what our event needs. It is a local charity that is relatively small, and its focus is kids. Over the 31 years we have been running this event, these are the qualities that we have found help us raise the most money from our local area. As proof of this, we have been able to raise over $150,000 in the last four years for BBA. On top of the money we have been able raise, our club has taken an interest in helping BBA in as many ways as it can all throughout the year. We have hosted a reunion day at our pool for all of the kids who have ever been on the trip to Walt Disney World for the past two summers and several of our pro-am committee members have attended the Send-off Broadcast with the families going on the trip. It has been a really satisfying experience to see our club and its members getting so much out of helping these families that have to deal with so much adversity. I look forward to continuing this relationship long into the future.

(l to r) Bert Weiss, Tiffany Grayson, Stacey Weiss & Matt Grayson

SIBLING spotlight BBA GOES TO BAT FOR

BRENDAN MOISES By Mary Welch rendan Moises dreams of playing professional baseball. He was so good that he received an athletic/academic scholarship to a boarding school in New Hampshire. But he gave it up because he felt his mother and sister, Bria, needed him. Bria recently completed her 25th operation – with eight more to go. “Bria was very sick and Brendan was making the honor roll, but he finished his first year and came home,” says his mother Brenda Merrion. “It was his decision. He came home for his sister. It’s hard for the brothers and sisters of sick kids. Sometimes they feel left out.” Brendan says he doesn’t feel neglected but that he “works around this. I understand that Bria is sick.” Word got back to Bert Weiss about Brendan’s sacrifice for his sister and he was touched. He wanted to do something special for Brendan so he, along with The Bert Show’s executive producer, Jeff Dauler, arranged for Brendan to visit the Braves spring training camp. Receiving the VIP treatment, Brendan sat in the dugout, watched a game and met the players. “Meeting Bobby Cox was the best. Oh, yeah and Chipper Jones. I never watched a game so close up,” he says. BBA surprised Brendan again, on the last radio remote when a Braves player showed up to sign autographs. “My face just lit up. I loved the whole weekend at Walt Disney World but then to go to the Braves camp was unbelievable. It’s crazy.” Brenda says that she’s “always worried about him getting lost. He’s growing up and he’s important too. But sometimes I just have to do so much for Bria. I fear that siblings of these kids lose something of themselves because of the other child who is sick. I want him to

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I LOVED THE WHOLE WEEKEND AT WALT DISNEY WORLD BUT THEN TO GO TO THE BRAVES CAMP WAS UNBELIEVABLE. -BRENDAN MOISES

”

have a full life. It’s not easy.” For Brenda, a single mom, going to Orlando was just the boost the family needed. The Merrions had just moved to Atlanta but had no support system. “I was told about BBA from a nurse and I just sat down and wrote a letter. It’s been a real long road for us. Then one day I was just really down and low because of Bria’s medical issues. I was in the car coming home from the hospital after being told that Bria needed another operation. I was so having a bad day and I got a call from Bert. I didn’t know who he was but I just started crying when he said that we were going on the trip.” Brenda agrees. “It was fabulous. Everyone was so attentive. On the trip I felt like we found an adoptive family.” From BBA, Brendan, who plays baseball for Henry County High School, had an experience of a lifetime. Bria had a weekend that brings a smile to her face whenever she thinks about it and, for Brenda, well, she found something even bigger. “I really believe that God has a way of comforting you; to remind you that you are not alone. My spirit was so down and Bert and BBA came to me in the nick of time.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

Headshot

The Amerson Family

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

BY CAROLINE PETTERS

“

FOR FOUR SHORT BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE DAYS, I WAS GIVEN DOES A GREAT JOB OF PERMISSION TO BE KEEPING US CONNECTED. -KERRIE (JONAH’S MOM)

” ”

jonah... THE HENNEBERG FAMILY

Meet Kerrie Henneberg. Her story begins in 2003 when her son, Jonah, was born. He immediately showed signs of jaundice and was diagnosed as “failure THE AMERSON to thrive.”FAMILY After months of ambivalence from Untesequunt the doctors volum Jonah volestia was nusam finally in diagnosed essequide with ofBilliary ficiis et expe Atresia. eatem This aped is aestis progressive sit estiondisease repudam that reaff raeects vollati the dolupta liver. tatatat Childrenatiorpo diagnosed rerfera with tectorrum Billiary Atresia ipsum facidi eventually quam voluptatur, need a livertetransplant. sustio. Nam So enest for Jonah, aut magnatium it became que a waiting conectatio. game. Nequam eos sinto et et In offi September ctem ilit of quae 2008 venimagnis Jonah’s health solum started quistoquam deterioet rate. Kerrie time hadius come to putdolupJonah odiam, cumwondered que nus ifetthe undebitat volendi on the transplant list. hertemoluptam anxiety escalated, Kerrie retas comnimpore delAs isto que mi, sunt ceived a phone callacerione from her dear friend facestrum num enihil et, explaining ium quiasthat ditshe ut had written a letter nominating and Jonah Bert’s Big unt ut illantio dunt moluptasher minias estofor maxime liAdventure. Kerrie completed thedoluptat application, tendi doloremporem rereri re eosthen samquickly quam forgot about potential alique of actually being selected. On nimus nectiothe molupient coribus veles poratus Christmas Eve she received an unexpected calloffi from Bert’s sitatur, unt audaescid estiassum et most c totaeBig Adventure confi rmingestiur? she and Jonah had been selected ratur si berfern aturio for the trip.in Kerrie was acearci overwhelmed withteemotion. Igni nobit estrum molupti nonsequ idera fan of superheroes, Jonahet was especially excitrovBeing itatus eaquo te doloreptatus quam quid quunt ed about wearing his Buzz Lightyear while visiting volorites susdandit adistrum iumcostume sequibus suntio tethe Magic Kingdom.resto He had heard from hisaudiae classmates that molor ehendunti velit voles por as sunto there wasriatemp a Buzz Lightyear complete withserum lasers que and explabo erchiciat ride quam quae num aliens.qui When he arrived the attraction, Jonah dolumque puffed out none dolorest omniataliqui samus quatem his sit chest and the ride. after ea quis etmarched estiusaeproudly rerferaonto dem. Offi cil Then, ipiderit resaving the galaxy, this et little Buzz gotvolor his chance meet niae niscition porupid ut fugiam, soluptito iduciet the Buzzpeliquuntis Lightyear, “I’ll forget thatporrore as long as I live.” lacipsa utnever haribus di con voluptasSince the ut tripvelecullam Bert’s Big Adventure has hosted reunions, ped quam enet facepres ut accab ipwhich has a senseporum of community among theverum group, samet es created as nesequae quo toreptiusda “Some ofhilit these people I qui never thought I would see again, but natiam venisque sunt. we justfugit keep litataqui getting closer andbearum closer. eos Bert’s Big Adventure Optat ommo sundant liquid does a great jobari keeping us connected.” Kerrieerum created an minihit molum cum vendaep ellesecum illupunexpected bondutwith other tatur aborrum lautthe evel masingle quia mothers sant, id that quidparticiquae pated, “I can call up any day and have a breakdown and poreiumquid quithem voloria spellab imus. they would completely understand.” Et pore plis re alitatur si quam et, solendit as si quo The trip’s aidedaut in keeping healthy for a blaborro te excitement pellate sinias quam Jonah eum corrum non few months April when he took a turn thepor worse. It plat laboriauntil ectiusdae. Ut prorporum nisfor imet atem was time to put himquam on thesus. transplant list. By June they had haris quideserum found a liver matchplab and Jonah wentquae transplant Seque porecte il ius under molorum eumsurgery. quunt His recovery was rough, consisting of fiveaut surgeries in labor simetprocess doluptatur aut ipiet eumquas evendi six weeks many hospital stays. Theaut families from Bert’s quas mosand sit omnimus ciasperitium iur ma cusandBig Adventure were ulpa a constant while Jonah unt qui dis rerum alitistisupport con etsystem volut molor sinis andexcestis Kerrie were in the hospital. Now, foratus the fisumquod rst time, he is a ne doles nos voloreptatur issehealthycomniae six-year-old boy, “It’s wonderful!”explibus aut molupquam struntis audigenim Adventure was not just a tripsoluptatus to Walt Disney World ta Bert’s assintBig quia ditiis et arum verae dolestr it was a “fresh beginning.” is not the scientifi c explareason umenist, cupta consequi “BBA aspelit atiores totame Jonah ullo got aidundi transplant, but it created positive energy.” Since bore, tem facest fuga. Atis idi tem faccusa Bert’s Big Adventure, Kerrie ipsam, has remarried and now isribuspregvoluptae nimin nimusam exerum volorro nant,solore “our life is soaut full et of blessings now. I will always think of am dolor Bert’s Big Adventure as the starting point for all of this.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

beyondthemagic... Bert’s Big Adventure is a year-round charitable organization. In addition to the trip to Walt Disney World, Bert’s Big Adventure also provides the selected children additional and essential services throughout the year that are necessary to the fulﬁllment of its charitable purpose.

The magic doesn’t end after Disney. Bert’s Big Adventure strives to provide the selected families several opportunities to reconnect throughout the year (and rolls out the red carpet while doing so!) Memorable Reunion Adventures and VIP experiences at various Atlanta area venues, have all been enjoyed by trip par-

ticipants, past and present. These events allow families to rekindle friendships from their trip, while meeting families from other adventures as well. The friendships made through Bert’s Big Adventure and Reunion Adventures allow each family to expand their network of support and remind them that they are not alone. Main photo: Suesan Phillips

Reunion Adventures; (main photo) The Georgia Aquarium (inset) Country Club of Roswell Pool Party

“

A BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE FAMILY IS A BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE FAMILY FOR LIFE!

”

Top photo: Ben Rose Photography

MARCELLA GENUT

then:

now: A GIRL WITH A CAUSE: A BBA ALUMNA WANTS TO GIVE BACK. BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE CHANGED MARCELLA GENUT.

SHE IS NOW AN ACTIVIST.

THEN NOW By Mary Welch

Marcella, now 13, has spent her life in a wheelchair as a result of having congenital muscular dystrophy. Her experience was so overwhelming that it changed her life and she devotes her time to helping promote Bert’s Big Adventure. She almost didn’t make the trip. “To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t sure about it. I was nervous,” Marcella’s mother, Marina says. “I kept wondering why Bert, Stacey and all the volunteers were doing this. I mean, most of the time when people get involved in a charity, they have a personal connection to it. But Bert doesn’t. He is actually doing it out of the goodness of his heart. It’s amazing.” When Marcella, her younger sister Isabelle, and Marina came back from the trip, they made a deal. “We decided that we would do whatever we could to help Bert. We made a pact as a family that we would give back. We can’t give money, but we can give time and service. Bert gives so much and is so supportive that we had to do the same for him. Marcella just tells everyone about Bert’s Big Adventure.” Marcella was also named an ambassador for The Muscular Dystrophy Association. She recently appeared on television during the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. “She’s a ham,” her mother admits with a laugh. Marcella, the Ham, has also been named “The Kid” spokesperson for Bert’s Big Adventure. Marcella enjoys meeting people and working with Bert on the radio and at personal appearances. “She wants to do all she can

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SHE HONESTLY DIDN’T WANT TO COME HOME. SHE SAID SHE’D STAY AT WALT DISNEY WORLD AND WE COULD PICK HER UP NEXT YEAR. -MARINA (MARCELLA’S MOM)

”

and I have to remind her she has school and other things. She tries to do as much as she can for Muscular Dystrophy but she’d do anything for Bert.” Perhaps why the family decided to give back to Bert’s Big Adventure was the impact it had on them. Last year was the ﬁrst year Marcella did not spend a day in the hospital. “She’s used to being sick and in and out of hospitals,” Marina says. “And, then she was able to go on the trip. She honestly didn’t want to come home. She said she’d stay at Walt Disney World and we could pick her up next year. I think she loved being with a lot of kids.” The trip was a godsend for Marina as well. “Well, I’m a single mom so I am always thinking, always planning, always watching for things. I went and, for the ﬁrst time in my life, I had other people doing the worrying and planning for me. I have to take everything so seriously. But not only was I able to relax and enjoy myself but the three of us got to enjoy it together. We really needed to spend time just enjoying something together. We honestly hadn’t done that before.” It’s for that reason why Marcella is an activist with a cause. “Whatever Bert needs, whatever Bert wants, whenever Bert calls, we’re there. It’s all so incredible.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

Headshot

The Amerson Family

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

“

drew...

FOR FOUR SHORT DAYS, I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO BE A “NORMAL” MOM.

THE AMERSON FAMILY THE KRUSZYNSKI Untesequunt volum volestia FAMILY nusam in essequide of-

RELAX AND ENJOY MY CHILDREN FOR WHO THEY ARE. -CHERIE BAXTER

”

“

IF I COULD HAVE GIVEN HIM ONE GIFT THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN IT, AND BBA PROVIDED THAT FOR US. -CANDI (DREW’S MOM)

”

BY BRITTNEY MCKENNA

I WAS ALLOWED TO

ﬁciis O n his et trip expewith eatem Bert’s apedBig estis Adventure sit estion2009 repudam to Walt reDisney rae vollati World, dolupta Drew tatatat Kruszynski atiorpomade rerfera a tectorrum new best friend—the ipsum facidione quam andvoluptatur, only MickeyteMouse. sustio. Nam enest aut“The magnatium best moment que conectatio. from our trip Nequam wouldeos have sinto to be et when Mouse for the first quis time,”quam Candice et offiDrew ctemmet ilit Mickey quae venimagnis solum et Kruszynski, mother, said. “Drew loved Mickey odiam, cumDrew’s que nus et undebitat iushas volendi dolupfromcomnimpore very early on. del When Drew was first diagnosed, tas isto temoluptam que mi, Micksunt ey Mouse Clubhouse was his favorite show. We dit would facestrum num acerione enihil et, ium quias ut watch over and overmoluptas again.” minias esto maxime liunt utitillantio dunt Upon meeting Mr. Mouse, Drew told him hesam loved him tendi doloremporem rereri re doluptat eos quam and thenectio joy themolupient trip provided was coribus evident. veles poratus nimus alique “If I could have givenestiassum him one gift this offi would have sitatur, unt audaescid et most c totaebeen it, BBA aturio provided that for us,” Candice said. “BBA ratur si and berfern estiur? made sure in that Drew acearci had his special no matter Igni nobit estrum moluptimoment te nonsequ iderwhat. I am so thankful for that.” rov itatus eaquo te doloreptatus et quam quid quunt Drew was diagnosed with Stage IV Neruoblastoma volorites susdandit adistrum ium sequibus suntio tein August of 2006 when hevoles was only 29 months old. molor ehendunti resto velit por audiae as sunto Throughout the course of his treatment, Drew endured explabo riatemp erchiciat quam quae num serum que eight qui rounds of chemotherapy, total body radiation, two none dolorest omni aliqui samus quatem dolumque stem transplants andrerfera thirty rounds of focal radiation. ea sitcell quis et estiusae dem. Offi cil ipiderit re“We still areporupid in this fight,” Candicevolor said. solupti “Drew still has niae niscition et ut fugiam, iduciet an active disease that are watching very closely. Forlacipsa peliquuntis ut we haribus di con porrore voluptastunately now, day to day life facepres isn’t affected as much ped quam ut our velecullam enet ut accab ipon the outside. But as a mother I think about it daily.” samet es as nesequae porum quo toreptiusda verum Drew’s experience Bert’s Big Adventure has made natiam hilit venisquewith qui sunt. a profound in his bearum journey eos withsundant his illness, as Optat fugit difference litataqui ommo liquid well as molum the outlook of his family, ellesecum however, and thisillupcan minihit ari cum vendaep erum be credited partially to a veryma special doctor. tatur aborrum ut laut evel quia sant, id quid quae “One night, Drew fell outspellab of bed and needed stitches,” Canporeiumquid qui voloria imus. dice said.plis “Dr Michelle Presely was on that night. Et pore re alitatur si quam et,duty solendit as siDrew quo just fell in te love with her that aut nightquam and she fellcorrum in love with blaborro pellate sinias eum non him. Dr. Michelle encouraged us to apply nis for imet the BBA plat laboria ectiusdae. Ut prorporum portrip.” atem Thanks to Dr. Michelle and Bert’s Big Adventure, the haris quideserum quam sus. Kruszynski familyplab wasilable enjoy a quae relaxing tripquunt filled Seque porecte ius to molorum eum with of doluptatur rides and lots laughs, as well new labor lots simet aut of ipiet eumquas aut as evendi friends, Kerrie, Kim, Devon and Jonah.aut iur ma cusandquas mos sit omnimus ciasperitium was magical tripalitisti that has lifetime of unt“Itqui disa rerum ulpa conprovided et volutamolor sinis friendships memories, Candice atus said. sumquod “It is the issebest ne excestis and doles nos voloreptatur organization in Atlanta.” quam comniae struntis audigenim explibus aut molupthink quia back ditiis to how heverae was, how close I came to ta “Iassint et sick arum soluptatus dolestr losing himcupta several times, aspelit how everyday special, how umenist, consequi atiores is totame explaspecial he idundi is for still being here. Drew knows he isfaccusa special bore, ullo tem facest fuga. Atis idi tem and a little different, but that week he was just one of voluptae nimin nimusam ipsam, exerum volorro ribusthe kids. And I will always am solore dolor aut et be thankful for that.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

(l to r) Bert Weiss, Jared Travis & Stacey Weiss

magicmaker...

Sheraton Gateway Atlanta Airport

BY JARED TRAVIS: DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

s a long time listener of Q100’s The Bert Show, I was able to experience the impact Bert’s Big Adventure had on the many families who took part every year through the morning radio show. I remember listening to the stories of each child and family member and knew this was something really special and wanted to get involved. When the opportunity came for the Sheraton Gateway to host the families the evening before they were to leave for Walt Disney World and the Send-Off Broadcast and Party, I jumped at it. It was a remarkable opportunity to interact with these very special families and “give a little back” even during these very challenging times. Our many Sheraton associates are proud to be involved with a charitable

organization like Bert’s Big Adventure. Watching the participating families and staff made me realize how Bert’s Big Adventure’s values blend so naturally with Sheraton’s core values. We take great pride in the sense of belonging we provide to our guests, we help others to feel connected with one another, and take an active role in our community. Bert’s Big Adventure is a special organization that certainly encompasses all of these in order to provide an amazing experience for wonderful and deserving families. After the event was complete, we had many customers, friends and family members reach out to us to let us know how proud they were to be affiliated with the Sheraton Gateway because of our involvement with Bert’s Big Adventure. It was then we decided we could do more than just host the Send-Off in February,

but could continue to help Bert’s Big Adventure year round - and so can you! If you don’t want to get up extra early and fight Atlanta traffic for those early morning flights, why not spend the night at the Sheraton Gateway before flying out of town? Or, think of the Sheraton when you have guests coming to visit. The Sheraton is here to help you! Please go to the Bert’s Big Adventure website (www.BertsBigAdventure.org) and click on the Sheraton Gateway logo on the Partners page. You will find the best hotel rates loaded here exclusively for friends of Bert’s Big Adventure. You save money PLUS a portion of every room rate will go to Bert’s Big Adventure. We hope to see you at the Sheraton Gateway soon, and look forward to hosting Bert’s Big Adventure Send-Off again in 2010.

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

Parent’s perspective

THE ROBINSONS GO TO WALT DISNEY WORLD! By Tonjali Robinson

y husband, Mike, and I were just as excited as our kids, Akaya (5) and Arnieas (12) about our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. Ok, I lied! I was more excited than anyone! Since we received the call from Bert saying we had been chosen for Bert’s Big Adventure, I could not sleep. By the time we needed to leave, I was exhausted, but running on adrenaline. When preparing for the trip I did have concerns though. I had to do one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do – allow someone else to care for me and my family. Now, of course, I was told numerous times by the Bert’s Big Adventure staff that we would be taken care of, but I needed to know to what degree. So, my phone calls began about two days after orientation – and I don’t believe they stopped until the trip. I needed to know… How much money do we need? Should I bring snacks? Will there be a fridge in our room? And so much more. But each time I called my questions were answered and I was assured we would be taken care of, “… we will provide everything you need.” Well, having a family that includes a child with special needs is tough. It was not comprehensible to me to cast these responsibilities on to someone else. Not only that, but would they cross every “t” and dot every “i” for my family, and every family on the trip? How could they possibly do that? Well, they did, from start to finish! We arrived at the Send-Off Broadcast and Party in the wee hours of the morning. It was a real party! There was a breakfast buffet, make-up artists, hair stylists, activities for the kids, our radio interview on Q100, and unexpected television news interviews as well. It was amazing. We then left for the flight and arrived at the ASA hangar to a red carpet send-off. I became emotional, realizing

“

… WE WILL PROVIDE EVERYTHING YOU NEED.

”

this was even more special than I could have imagined. Upon entering the plane, the flight crew knew us by name – they were very attentive and awesome. Once we arrived at the Yacht Club Hotel at Walt Disney World we were hoping to see some characters, and did we ever! We were joined at dinner by Goofy and Donald Duck, then it was off to Hollywood Studios to see “Fantasmic.” It was a great way to begin our trip. And tomorrow, Magic Kingdom! We needed to be up early, and I was still running on adrenaline. We enjoyed breakfast at Tony’s Town Square, and the surprise guest that joined us was none other than Mickey Mouse. The rest of our day was unexplainable – rides, shows and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Akaya became Princess Akaya! And who would have guessed that at the end of our day Belle and Cinderella would be reading the children bedtime stories, complete with milk and cookies. The rest of the weekend was much the same. From a private group dinner in the Coral Reef Restaurant, to a dessert buffet overlooking the water and fireworks show in EPCOT. I was speechless. With tears in my eyes I watched these fireworks in awe. It was then that it hit me. We were blessed to be able to take part in Bert’s Big Adventure. Thank you to Bert’s Big Adventure, the sponsors and Bert Show fans for this unforgettable trip!

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

28 28

“

EACH DAY BROUGHT DIFFERENT

Headshot

MEMORIES, BUT I HAVE TO SAY WATCHING MY KIDS’ FACES AS THEY SAW CINDERELLA’S CASTLE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND SAYING, ‘WE ARE AT DISNEY WORLD!’

-KATHY (MATTY’S MOM)

The Amerson Family

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

”

FOR FOUR SHORT DAYS, I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO BE A “NORMAL” MOM. I WAS ALLOWED TO RELAX AND ENJOY MY CHILDREN FOR WHO THEY ARE. -CHERIE BAXTER

”

BY BRITTNEY MCKENNA

“

matty... THE MELTON AMERSON FAMILY FAMILY

Untesequunt M atty Meltonvolum was volestia on a mission nusamofinglobal essequide proporoftions—collect fi ciis et expe eatem all of the aped Mickey-shaped estis sit estion pins repudam from each rerae vollati country available doluptaintatatat Walt Disney atiorpo World. rerfera And,tectorrum thanks to ipsumMoosbrugger, Amy facidi quam he voluptatur, was able to te meet sustio. hisNam goal.enest aut“We magnatium found all but queone!,” conectatio. Kathy Melton, Nequam Matty’s eos sinto mother, et said excitedly. me the solum other day let me et offi ctem ilit“Amy quaecalled venimagnis quistoquam et know they had found one and would be sending odiam, cum que nusthe et last undebitat ius volendi dolupit out! I haven’t told but I thinkque he will so tas comnimpore delMatty isto yet, temoluptam mi, be sunt excited.” facestrum num acerione enihil et, ium quias dit ut 8, wasdunt diagnosed with minias Medulloblastoma in FebuntMatty, ut illantio moluptas esto maxime liruary of 2007. Following six weeks of radiation andquam fourtendi doloremporem rereri re doluptat eos sam teen long months of chemotherapy, Mattyveles and his family nimus nectio molupient alique coribus poratus thought unt he was finally free of sickness and pain. sitatur, audaescid estiassum et most offic totaeThen this pastaturio July doctors ratur si berfern estiur?had sobering news—Matty had new on hisacearci spine. molupti te nonsequ iderIgni nobittumors in estrum is currently chemotherapy Chilrov“He itatus eaquo te undergoing doloreptatus et quam quidatquunt dren’s Healthcare Atlanta ium at Scottish Kathy volorites susdanditofadistrum sequibusRite,” suntio tesaid. “Itehendunti has completely turned ourpor world upside down, molor resto velit voles audiae as sunto everything has changed. You always have thatserum hope that explabo riatemp erchiciat quam quae num que everything will be just fine, butsamus in reality Matty dolumque has a 50% none qui dolorest omni aliqui quatem chance of survival.” ea sit quis et estiusae rerfera dem. Officil ipiderit reKathy cites porupid involvement Bert’s Big Adventure as a niae niscition et utwith fugiam, volor solupti iduciet bright spot in their struggle, however. sister actually lacipsa peliquuntis ut haribus di con Her porrore voluptasencouraged thevelecullam family to participate, for which Kathyipis ped quam ut enet facepres ut accab very grateful. samet es as nesequae porum quo toreptiusda verum “During firstqui treatment natiam hilitMatty’s venisque sunt. my sister, a huge Bert Show would listenommo to stories about thesundant other families Optatfan, fugit litataqui bearum eos liquid who went on thearitrip andvendaep would cry every morning the minihit molum cum ellesecum erumonillupway work,” she “She ma called me one id day andquae said taturtoaborrum ut said. laut evel quia sant, quid she had somequi papers to fi ll out, which poreiumquid voloria spellab imus. I did. I did not read it I was very surprised Bertas called us Etvery poreclosely plis resoalitatur si quam et, when solendit si quo to tell us te ourpellate family sinias was being Bert’snon Big blaborro aut considered quam eumfor corrum Adventure plat laboria2009.” ectiusdae. Ut prorporum nis imet por atem Upon finding outquam they would haris quideserum sus. be going on Bert’s Big Adventure, Kathy, husband Matt, Matty, and daughter KaySeque porecte plab il ius molorum quae eum quunt lee, 6, simet packeddoluptatur their bags and ready to see the labor autgot ipiet eumquas aut magical evendi world of Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney. quas mos sit omnimus ciasperitium aut iur ma cusanddayrerum brought diffalitisti erent memories, but I molor have tosinis say unt“Each qui dis ulpa con et volut watching mydoles kids’ faces as they saw Cinderella’s castle for ne excestis nos voloreptatur atus sumquod issethe first time and saying, audigenim ‘We are at Disney World!’ each quam comniae struntis explibus aut to molupother was quia my favorite,” ta assint ditiis etKathy arumsaid. verae soluptatus dolestr “The biggest I feel aspelit we gained from totame this trip explais that umenist, cuptathing consequi atiores we areullo notidundi alone,” shefacest added. “Many families are bore, tem fuga. Atisother idi tem faccusa going through as diffi cult as us. Weribusas a voluptae niminsomething nimusam just ipsam, exerum volorro family really try to make am solore dolor aut et the best of each day and cherish each moment we have together.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

thank you...

Top photo: Richie Arpino

The Atlanta Braves

World Football Challenge

Parties2Go

Salon 123 & The Ice Box

www.bertsbigadventure.org â&#x20AC;˘ magical moments magazine â&#x20AC;˘ 2009 Inaugural Issue

32 32

Headshot

The Amerson Family

“

I DIDN’T HAVE TO WORRY. AND I’M NOT USED TO THAT. -BRENDA (BRIA’S MOM)

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

”

FOR FOUR SHORT DAYS, I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO BE A “NORMAL” MOM. I WAS ALLOWED TO RELAX AND ENJOY MY CHILDREN FOR WHO THEY ARE. -CHERIE BAXTER

”

BY KIRSTEN OTT PALLADINO

“

bria... THE MERRION FAMILY

For Bria Merrion, her brother Brendan, 16, andd mom m Brenda, life has revolved around doctor and hospital visits to help Bria. In her 11 years of life, she’s had more than 25 surgeries, and there are more to come. “I callAMERSON THE her my little FAMILY Humpty Dumpty,” says her mom Untesequunt Brenda. “They’re volum literally volestia reconstructing nusam in essequide my daughofficiis Born ter.” et expe with eatem Vateraped Syndrome, estis sita estion rare association repudam reof rae vollati birth defects, dolupta Bria has tatatat multiple atiorpo abnormalities rerfera tectorrum within ipsum her body, facidi from quam lungvoluptatur, and stomach teproblems sustio. Nam to a enest heart aut magnatium condition. It’s easy que conectatio. to imagine how Nequam traveling eos sinto would et et offi be diffictem cult for ilither quae and venimagnis her family.solum “We have quisto quam haveet a odiam, lot of medical cum que supplies nus etinundebitat addition to ius the volendi equipment,” doluptas comnimpore says Brenda. del isto temoluptam que mi, sunt facestrum There’s a num lot that acerione comes into enihil playet, forium a family quias considerdit ut ing aut vacation—especially one with a special-needs child. unt illantio dunt moluptas minias esto maxime liWhen all their cash flowrereri is being funneled into meditendi doloremporem re doluptat eos Bria’s sam quam cal needs, vacations are but a distant dream for poratus the Mernimus nectio molupient alique coribus veles rions. “It’sunt a fiaudaescid nancial hardship,” says et Brenda, has sitatur, estiassum mostwho officalso totaea healthy child, Brendan, 16. “A vacation just really was ratur si berfern aturio estiur? something far-fetched. So to prepare forte Bert’s Big AdvenIgni nobit in estrum acearci molupti nonsequ iderture,itatus I actually thought we would be aetburden.” rov eaquo te doloreptatus quam quid quunt Bert guaranteed fromium the sequibus start that suntio there was volorites susdanditBrenda adistrum tenothingehendunti to worry about. were too much molor resto No velitspecial voles needs por audiae as sunto for BBA to handle. erchiciat Every carequam and concern would be taken explabo riatemp quae num serum que care of. says she letaliqui herself be reassured, but her renone quiShe dolorest omni samus quatem dolumque lief sit grew deeper when herrerfera family arrived Orlando. “People ea quis et estiusae dem. in Offi cil ipiderit refrom niscition Bert’s Bigporupid Adventure were all assigned to a diff erent niae et ut fugiam, volor solupti iduciet family, and we were fortunate enough have Bert. We had lacipsa peliquuntis ut haribus di contoporrore voluptasan absolutely dayenet with facepres him. It really was fabuped quam utwonderful velecullam ut accab iplous.” Alles ofas Bria’s equipment was delivered to the hotel besamet nesequae porum quo toreptiusda verum fore they arrived—oxygen tank, concentrator and other natiam hilit venisque qui sunt. medicalfugit supplies. “Everything was there when we arrived,” Optat litataqui ommo bearum eos sundant liquid says Brenda. “I didn’t have to look.ellesecum I didn’t have to worry. minihit molum ari cum vendaep erum illupAnd I’maborrum not usedut tolaut that.”evel ma quia sant, id quid quae tatur The Merrions enjoyed theirimus. visit to the Magic Kingporeiumquid quifully voloria spellab dom. “I went teacup rides,” says Bria, withasa si giggle. Et pore plis on re the alitatur si quam et, solendit quo “I got really It was fun.”aut Thequam park is full corrum of surprises, blaborro tedizzy. pellate sinias eum non and you never know whoUt you might run into. Brendan says, plat laboria ectiusdae. prorporum nis imet por atem “We were at dinner, and sus. Mickey, Donald, everyone came haris quideserum quam out, andporecte we got our with themquae and got auSeque plabpictures il ius molorum eumtheir quunt tographs.” Bert had built aut a bond Brendanaut over their labor simet doluptatur ipietwith eumquas evendi sharedmos lovesit ofomnimus baseball and surprised him a separate quas ciasperitium aut with iur ma cusandtrip to training in Orlando. got unt quithe disAtlanta rerum Braves ulpa alitisti concamp et volut molor “Isinis to meet all the players and Bobby Cox,” Brendan. “It ne excestis doles nos voloreptatur atussays sumquod issewas crazy.” The BBA teamaudigenim even arranged for Braves player quam comniae struntis explibus aut molupJairassint Jurrjens to come send-off the group was ta quia ditiis to et the arum verae when soluptatus dolestr headed back to Atlanta. umenist, cupta consequi aspelit atiores totame explaTheullo Merrion family remained with others from bore, idundi temhas facest fuga.close Atis idi tem faccusa the trip including Bert. “They have phenominal voluptae nimin nimusam ipsam, exerum volorropeople ribusworking with phenominal am solore dolor aut et kids,” says Brenda. “Thats what BBA is all about.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

“

YOU’RE REALLY JUST SO GREATFUL TO HAVE YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR HEALTH...AND YOU LEARN TO TAKE PEOPLE FOR WHO THEY ARE AND LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY -WENDY ADAMS

” First Year Staff Perspective............... WENDY ADAMS

his year’s Bert’s Big Adventure trip was the seventh for Bert Weiss and his BBA team, but for Wendy Adams, Q100’s traffic girl and The Bert Show’s newest member, it was an entirely new experience. “I don’t know if I went into it with any expectations,” Wendy says, “but [instead] pretty much excitement.” A self proclaimed kid lover, Wendy jumped at the chance to be a part of the 2009 trip and tackled her responsibilities with zeal, down to laminating the detailed schedule she made for the families of her two kids, Ashlyn, a rambunctious 5-year-old born with a heart deformity, and Raven, 10, who is battling a type of bone cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma. From the ﬁrst day, Wendy was struck with the tangible sense of excitement – and camaraderie – between the kids and families alike. “I didn’t expect [the kids] to all get along, but I think they all got along so well with each other because

BY ANNA BENTLEY they weren’t judged,” she recalls. “They were all there for the same reasons.” While the reasons bringing the BBA families together may be grim, the BBA experience is one that focuses on the positive rather than the negative, the blessings instead of the hardships. And, most of all, the fun. For four days, Wendy and her new BBA BFFs took over Walt Disney World, running from the Mad Tea Party’s spinning teacups to Cinderella’s castle to “It’s A Small World” and reveling in every moment. It’s a requirement for BBA that children who are selected for the trip have never been to Walt Disney World, so part of the fun for Wendy was seeing the theme park through a child’s eyes for the ﬁrst time, especially the ever-excited Ashlyn, who pretty much screamed nonstop from takeoff to landing. The most memorable moment, however, came during a trip to Cinderella’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where the girls were treated to a pampering session ﬁt for

a princess. After a fresh coat of nail polish, a beautiﬁed face and an elegant hair styling, the girls were crowned as their favorite princess. In perfect Cinderella fashion, the girls were asked to make a wish as they were crowned. When it was her turn, 5-year-old Ashlyn looked at the mirror and simply whispered, “This is the best day of my life.” “I just lost it,” remembers Wendy, “and all the families just lost it. It was a very emotional moment.” Wendy’s stories about her experience all have a common theme: family. She marvels at each BBA family’s strength and resiliency and notes that “they’re not your family, but for the weekend, they are.” A look at Bert’s Big Adventure through a ﬁrst-timer’s eyes brings certain things into focus: love, joy, and family. “I think you really get a perspective on your own life and family,” she says. “You’re really just so grateful to have your family and health, and … you learn to take people for who they are and love unconditionally.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

by the numbers... the number of times Bert rode a roller coaster

ﬁrst time ﬂiers

LIMO RIDES

pictures taken

DELUXE 120FINGER NAILS PAINTED AT THE BIBBIDI BOBBIDI BOUTIUE

2 many 2 Count: HOTEL ROOMS

the number of smiles throughout the 5 day adventure to Walt Disney World!

the magic continues...

Bert’s Big Adventure FEBRUARY 18-22

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

“

THE FAMILY, AS A

Headshot

WHOLE, MADE MANY NEW FRIENDS AND IT WAS SO ENCOURAGING TO MEET AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER FAMILIES WHO WERE WALKING THROUGH SIMILAR STRUGGLES. -VALERIA (MYA’S MOM)

”

FOR FOUR SHORT DAYS, I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO BE A “NORMAL” MOM. I WAS ALLOWED TO RELAX AND ENJOY MY CHILDREN FOR WHO THEY ARE. -CHERIE BAXTER

”

BY MOLLY BRANCH BY MOLLY BRANCH

“

mya... THE MILLINGTON FAMILY “THE LookAMERSON Mommy, I’mFAMILY so beautiful,” said little browneyed Mya Millington. Untesequunt volum volestia Her reflnusam ection in the essequide mirror ofreficiis et aexpe vealed precious eatemeight-year-old aped estis sit girl, estion with repudam chestnut rerae vollati brown hair dolupta and a glowing tatatat smile. atiorpo Turning rerfera around tectorrum in the ipsum chair salon facidiat quam the voluptatur, Bibbidi Bobbidi te sustio. Boutique Naminenest Walt aut magnatium Disney World, Mya quefound conectatio. herselfNequam transformed eos sinto intoet a et offictem ilit picturesque Cinderella, quae venimagnis her favorite solum Disney quis quam characet odiam, ter. “Itcum was que a moving nus etexperience,” undebitat ius said volendi her mother doluptas comnimpore Valeria, reminiscing delofisto her temoluptam favorite memory que with mi, sunt Mya facestrum while on Bert’s numBig acerione Adventure enihil to et, Walt ium Disney quiasWorld. dit ut untValeria ut illantio is an avid duntlistener moluptas of The minias Bert Show. esto maxime After hearliing Bert mention the rereri nonprofi organization, Bert’s Big tendi doloremporem re tdoluptat eos sam quam Adventure, andmolupient learning of the positive impactporatus on the nimus nectio alique coribus veles families unt thataudaescid participated, Valeria decided fillcout the sitatur, estiassum et mosttooffi totaepaperwork and send in an application. “ I remember writing ratur si berfern aturio estiur? about Mya,inand of ouracearci experiences as ate family, but never Igni nobit estrum molupti nonsequ iderexpecting hear anything back,” said rov itatus to eaquo te doloreptatus et Valeria. quam quid quunt Mya has Prune Belly Syndrome. with the lossteof volorites susdandit adistrum iumBorn sequibus suntio stomach muscles resto and no a typical molor ehendunti velitkidneys, voles por audiae childhood as sunto proved toriatemp be a great challenge for quae Mya. num Spunky and outexplabo erchiciat quam serum que going qui in nature sheomni never allowed herquatem condition to keep none dolorest aliqui samus dolumque her sit from fully life. Her family is ipiderit her anchor ea quis et experiencing estiusae rerfera dem. Officil reand together have it through rough seas niae niscition they porupid etmade ut fugiam, volorthe solupti iduciet on her journey. lacipsa peliquuntis ut haribus di con porrore voluptasThe opportunity to go to Walt Worldut was a dream ped quam ut velecullam enetDisney facepres accab ipthe Millington’s had thought nearly impossible because of samet es as nesequae porum quo toreptiusda verum Mya’s condition and her for continual medical care. natiam hilit venisque quineed sunt. Bert’s Big Adventure about to make dream beOptat fugit litataqui was ommo bearum eos that sundant liquid come a molum reality. The surprise that awaited them wasillupone minihit ari cum vendaep ellesecum erum that would proveuttolaut be unforgettable. tatur aborrum evel ma quia sant, id quid quae “When Bertqui personally called imus. to tell us we had been poreiumquid voloria spellab onepore of the families to go et, to Walt Disney Et plischosen re alitatur si quam solendit asWorld, si quoI couldn’t believe it,” Valeria It waseum a whirlwind blaborro te pellate sinias said. aut quam corrum from non the word “go”. plat laboria ectiusdae. Ut prorporum nis imet por atem “Memorable” andquam “Stress-free”, were the words the Milharis quideserum sus. lington’sporecte chose when summarize their Disney exSeque plabasked il ius to molorum quae eum quunt perience withdoluptatur Bert’s Big Adventure. From the accommodalabor simet aut ipiet eumquas aut evendi tions, mos any medical concerns, right down toiur the last detail, quas sit omnimus ciasperitium aut ma cusandthe nonprofi t organization had taken care of everything. unt qui dis rerum ulpa alitisti con et volut molor sinis were so many wonderful people met while on ne “There excestis doles nos voloreptatur atuswe sumquod isseour trip,” described Valeria. “The family, as a whole, made quam comniae struntis audigenim explibus aut molupmany new quia friends andetit arum was soverae encouraging to meet and ta assint ditiis soluptatus dolestr build relationships with other families whototame were walking umenist, cupta consequi aspelit atiores explathrough similar struggles.” bore, ullo idundi tem facest fuga. Atis idi tem faccusa Being apart Bert’s Bigipsam, Adventure was volorro an experience voluptae niminofnimusam exerum ribusof asolore lifetimedolor for the family. “It was a trip we will am autMillington et never forget”.

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

All photos this spread: Ben Rose Photography

we remember...

“

THE ONE THING THAT I’LL NEVER FORGET ABOUT BOBBY WAS HIS SMILE. MAN, ALL THAT KID DID WAS SMILE. IT WAS SO CONTAGIOUS. HE’D

1992 - 2005 Bert’s Big Adventure 2004

Bobby Forrey

we remember...

LIGHT UP THE ROOM WHEN HE WAS IN IT. - BERT WEISS

”

“

EVEN DURING DESTANY’S SICKEST DAYS SHE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HER FACE WHEN I WOULD GO TO SEE HER. DESTANY TAUGHT ME A LOT ABOUT FAITH AND

1997 - 2007 Bert’s Big Adventure 2006

Destany Price 39

COURAGE. KIDS CAN TEACH YOU SO MUCH IF YOU LISTEN! - NURSE CATHY

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

”

“

AFTER JAMES PASSED

we remember...

AWAY I HAPPENED TO MEET A FRIEND OF HIS. HE TOLD ME THAT WHEN HE WAS NEW TO SCHOOL AND HAVING A HARD TIME ADJUSTING, JAMES WAS THE FIRST TO STEP UP AND BE HIS FRIEND. - DR. MICHELLE

”

“

I WILL NEVER FORGET

1994 - 2007 Bert’s Big Adventure 2007

James Bell

we remember...

SITTING NEXT TO THE POOL WITH CHRISTOPHER’S MOM AND GRANDMOTHER AS BERT WHEELED HIM INTO THE SWIMMING POOL FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. THE LOOK ON HIS FACE WAS PRICELESS. - JENN HOBBY

”

1995 - 2007 Bert’s Big Adventure 2004

Christopher Adkinson

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

“

EVER SINCE WE

Headshot

RETURNED, HE HAS MORE MOTIVATION, DETERMINATION AND DRIVE. -KIMBERLY (DEVON’S MOM)

” The Amerson Family

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

“

devon...

FOR FOUR SHORT DAYS, I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO BE A “NORMAL” MOM. RELAX AND ENJOY MY CHILDREN FOR WHO THEY ARE. -CHERIE BAXTER

”

THE NIGRO AMERSON FAMILY FAMILY BY KIRSTEN OTT PALLADINO

I WAS ALLOWED TO

Untesequunt B orn with Ataxic volum Cerebral volestiaPalsy, nusam Devon in essequide Nigro is ofno stranger ﬁ ciis et expe to the eatem hospital, aped surgeries estis sit estion and medical repudam care. rerae vollati He’s in constant doluptaphysical tatatattherapy atiorpo rerfera and doesn’t tectorrum walk ipsum on his facidi own. He quam doesn’t voluptatur, speak te and sustio. attends Namspeech enest aut magnatium therapy. Devonque is conectatio. also involved Nequam in hippotherapy, eos sinto et et offictem which can improve ilit quae balance, venimagnis posture, solum quis mobility quamand et odiam, cum function of aque patient nus et with undebitat the study ius of volendi the horse’s doluptas comnimpore movement. He’s adel strong isto temoluptam 7-year-old, though. que mi,“Typisunt facestrum cally, he uses numaacerione walker to enihil move et,around,” ium quias says dit his ut unt utKimberly. mom illantio dunt “But moluptas ever since minias we esto got back maxime from litendi doloremporem Bert’s Big Adventure, rereri he has re doluptat been Mr.eos Independent. sam quam nimustrip That nectio made molupient such an impact alique coribus on him. veles Ever since poratus we sitatur, unthe returned, audaescid has more estiassum motivation, et most determination offic totaeraturdrive.” and si berfern aturio estiur? IgniA nobit vacation in estrum for Devon acearci and Kimberly molupti hasn’t te nonsequ been feasible. iderSo being the trip waset a quam true gift! Kimberly rov itatusnominated eaquo tefor doloreptatus quid quunt and Devonsusdandit were in awe throughout entire suntio BBA expevolorites adistrum ium the sequibus terience. ehendunti First, with the amount of stuff hadas to sunto bring. molor resto velit voles porthey audiae Kimberly laughs about how she toldquae the BBA “Look, explabo riatemp erchiciat quam numteam, serum queI don’t think y’all understand howsamus much we have.” But there’s none qui dolorest omni aliqui quatem dolumque nothing BBA et can’t handle, rerfera and withdem. ease,Offi all of ea sit quis estiusae cilDevon’s ipideritsperecial supplies off to Disneyvolor World—and were niae niscitionwere porupid et Walt ut fugiam, soluptiso iduciet they. “It peliquuntis was amazing,” their voluptashelp gave lacipsa ut Kimberly haribus disays. con “All porrore me, as a parent, extra time enet with Devon. If I said, ‘But this ped quam ut velecullam facepres ut accab iphas got es to be up,’ or ‘This needs to toreptiusda be done,’ they’d say, samet as put nesequae porum quo verum ‘We got it.’ And they’d take natiam hilit venisque qui care sunt.of it. The whole team really came together, and it was amazing.” Optat fugit litataqui ommo bearum eos sundant liquid Devon’s a major racecar fan. Heellesecum tore up the racetrack minihit molum ari cum vendaep erum illupwith Jenn Hobby,ut but he evel also fell a blonde princess tatur aborrum laut mahard quiafor sant, id quid quae at the park. “He talksspellab about Cinderella,” says Kimberly. poreiumquid quistill voloria imus. “Hepore lovedplis story with si her.” Et retime alitatur quam et, solendit as si quo The trip endsinias whenaut they returned either. blaborro tedidn’t pellate quam eum home corrum non Devon became friends with some of the BBAatem kids, plat laboria ectiusdae. Ut prorporum nisother imet por and now they go on day outings with each other. “We do haris quideserum quam sus. birthdayporecte parties and to go see them when possible. Seque plabtry il ius molorum quae eum quunt It’s likesimet havingdoluptatur a whole new family.” withevendi other labor aut ipiet Connecting eumquas aut parents with special-needs children has meant a lot to quas mos sit omnimus ciasperitium aut iur ma cusandKimberly. “It’s so nice to be ablecon to call whosinis will unt qui dis rerum ulpa alitisti et someone volut molor understand.” ne excestis doles nos voloreptatur atus sumquod isseBertcomniae and Stacey Weiss, along with their entire team, quam struntis audigenim explibus aut molupmoved Kimberly. “Theyethave such big hearts. Theredolestr wasn’t ta assint quia ditiis arum verae soluptatus a second that they got frustrated. They always hadexplasmile umenist, cupta consequi aspelit atiores totame on their face. But tem it’s also thatfuga. this trip to give, bore, ullo idundi facest Atiscontinues idi tem faccusa and that’snimin so amazing. They keep the groups going.ribusThey voluptae nimusam ipsam, exerum volorro organize other get-togethers for us. They keep us talking. am solore dolor aut et It was deﬁnitely a life-changing trip.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

“

BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE SPONSORS ARE MORE THAN JUST SPONSORS, THEY’RE PARTNERS. -STACEY WEISS

”

ert’s Big Adventure would not be possible without the support of the Atlanta community. Donations and ﬁnancial support by various organizations and individuals are essential in continuing not just the Bert’s Big Adventure Walt Disney World trip, but the many additional ways the organization assists the selected children and their families.

(this photo) Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta (below) Atlantic Southeast Airlines

Nominate a Bert’s Big Adventure Child Children may be nominated for the Bert’s Big Adventure trip via a confidential application. Bert’s Big Adventure serves children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old, who live in The Bert Show radio listening area (All the Hits Q100, 99.7 FM) in metro Atlanta, prove financial need and have never been to Walt Disney World. Applications are available on the organizations website, www.BertsBigAdventure.org. Make a Donation to Bert’s Big Adventure Contributions can be either monetary or through fulfillments of the Bert’s Big Adventure “Wish List.” Information on both can be found at www.BertsBigAdventure.org. Become a Sponsor Bert’s Big Adventure has multiple sponsorship and marketing opportunities available. Organizations wishing to participate should contact Bert’s Big Adventure at 404-303-8312 or email BBA@BertsBigAdventure.org.

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

Top photo: Ben Rose Photography

“ THEN NOW THE FREW FAMILY

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES BBA SO WONDERFUL IS THAT IT IS NOT JUST THE DIS-

then:

now: LISTEN UP: STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND HELP OTHERS

ABLED CHILD WHO IS

By Mary Welch

Chris Frew says he learned the importance of giving back and stepping up to help others from his mother and his 10 years of military service. Thanks to him, each year BBA’s children will have engraved iPods. Chris Frew and his sons, Tim and David, certainly have had their ups and downs. But throughout it all, they have kept their spirits up. Tim has cerebral palsy/development delay, and several years ago his mother, who was divorced from Chris, was diagnosed with cancer. Chris, who was engaged at the time, applied to Bert’s Big Adventure but was turned down because he didn’t qualify. “I was too well off financially at the time,” he says. Chris and his fiancé married and then divorced. “She couldn’t take all the stress and being a step mom to a special needs child,” he says. “And then their mother passed and it was just me and the boys. It was good but then things starting going bad for me financially.” Chris, a fan of The Bert Show, says his friends encouraged him to apply. He did and Tim was accepted. ”It was bad that I wasn’t doing well financially but it made us eligible for the trip, so that was good.” Tim, then 11, now 15, went on the 2006 trip and loved it. So did the whole family, including his brother David, who was nine. “One of the things that makes BBA so wonderful is that it is not just the disabled child who is treated special, it is the entire family,” he says. “For that weekend nothing in the park is beyond reach, no toy is too expensive, and no restaurant is out of bounds. And that feeling is something that continues on after you return home.”

TREATED SPECIAL, IT IS THE ENTIRE FAMILY. – CHRIS FREW

”

Chris later married and his ﬁnancial situation went on the upswing. “My new wife and I both work and we’re starting a tea business and I wanted to give back.” That Christmas he gave both boys iPods. “They both loved it and I asked Stacey if she thought the kids would like it.” Chris ordered red iPods for all the children. The problem was that one child was deaf. “He was deaf and in a wheelchair and I remembered how bright the sun was in Florida. Through the military I’m able to get Oakley sunglasses at a discount, so I bought him a pair.” This year Chris has ordered, “cool colors” for the iPods and each one will be engraved with BBA. His employer, PPG Aerospace, is ﬁnancially matching his gift. In addition, the company has asked for information on BBA so they could consider making contributions. “I try to spread the word everywhere about Bert and BBA,” he says. “When I was down, others, like Bert, stepped up to help me and my sons. Now that we’re back up, we have to help others. There isn’t anything I won’t do for BBA.” Chris, however, says there are many lessons to be learned from BBA. “It is something that can inspire the families and children to work hard for their goals because anything is possible,” he says. Adding, “That needs to be supported, nourished, and passed on to others.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

Headshot

“

WHEN ASHLYN GOT TO MEET CINDERELLA, THAT WAS WORTH

The Amerson Family

THE WHOLE TRIP. -LAKESHA (ASHLYN’S MOM)

”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

FOR FOUR SHORT DAYS, I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO BE A “NORMAL” MOM. I WAS ALLOWED TO RELAX AND ENJOY MY CHILDREN FOR WHO THEY ARE. -CHERIE BAXTER

”

BY ALISON ABBEY

“

ashlyn... ... .. THE NUCKOLS FAMILY

Ashlyn Nuckols was only 12-hours-old when she was diagnosed with Truncus Arteriosus, a condition that occurs when the two large arteries carrying blood away from the heart don’t form properly and one Untesequunt large artery isvolum present volestia instead. nusam As her in mother, essequide LaKeoffi sha ciisputs et expe it: “The eatem simple aped version estis sitisestion her heart repudam cannot rerae work vollati overtime; dolupta it needs tatatat a steady atiorpo pace.” rerfera At three tectorrum days ipsum old, Ashlyn facidihad quam her voluptatur, first surgery. te sustio. Nam enest autBut magnatium the outgoing que five-year-old conectatio. from Nequam Locusteos Grove sinto hasn’t et let her her down in the solum slightest. “She is justet a et officondition ctem ilitslow quae venimagnis quis quam ball of energy all the time,” says her mom. matter what odiam, cum que nus et undebitat ius “No volendi dolupshe goes through, she a smile on her tas comnimpore delalways isto has temoluptam queface.” mi, sunt And one num thing acerione that madeenihil that smile even wider facestrum et, ium quias ditwas ut Bert’s Adventure. LaKesha Nuckols rst heard about unt utBig illantio dunt moluptas minias fiesto maxime lithe life-changing trip while listening to Q100. her tendi doloremporem rereri re doluptat eosThinking sam quam daughter mightmolupient qualify, Nuckols remembers tellingporatus herself, nimus nectio alique coribus veles “What’s the thing that could happen—that say sitatur, untworst audaescid estiassum et most officthey totaeno. I thought it was worthestiur? it.” ratur si berfern aturio Bert’s Adventure didn’t say no.te And Ashlyn began IgniBut nobit in Big estrum acearci molupti nonsequ iderwhatitatus would eaquo be one of most excitinget journeys herquunt life. rov tethe doloreptatus quam of quid “The first thing I remember thesequibus orientation, and tewe volorites susdandit adistrum isium suntio were away,” resto says Ashlyn’s dad,por Jon.audiae “Bert and all the molorblown ehendunti velit voles as sunto staff go all out for erchiciat the kids and [their] families.” explabo riatemp quam quae num serum que As qui for dolorest Ashlyn, her experience thatdolumque day was none omnifavorite aliqui samus quatem meeting BertetWeiss himself. “She was connected ea sit quis estiusae rerfera dem.instantly Officil ipiderit reto him,” says LaKesha. asked where iduciet he was niae niscition porupid“She et utconstantly fugiam, volor solupti and what he was doing.” lacipsa peliquuntis ut haribus di con porrore voluptasBut meeting Bert was only the beginning. On accab the trip ipto ped quam ut velecullam enet facepres ut Walt Disney Ashlynporum met anquo even more magical new samet es asWorld, nesequae toreptiusda verum friend: natiamCinderella. hilit venisque qui sunt. “When Ashlyn got to meetbearum Cinderella, was worth Optat fugit litataqui ommo eosthat sundant liquid the whole trip,” says her mother. minihit molum ari cum vendaep ellesecum erum illupAshlyn couldn’t more.ma When asked her favortatur aborrum utagree laut evel quia sant,what id quid quae ite part about Bert’s Big Adventure was, she gushed, “having poreiumquid qui voloria spellab imus. breakfast withrethe characters and getting to sing and Et pore plis alitatur si quam et, solendit as sidance quo with themte andpellate giving [Cinderella] and kisses.” blaborro sinias autloves quam eum corrum non Meeting was part of nis herimet princess-for-aplat laboriaCinderella ectiusdae. Utonly prorporum por atem day Ashlyn had the opportunity to become the harisexperience. quideserum quam sus. beloved Disney heroine to a magical makeover…and Seque porecte plab ilthanks ius molorum quae eum quunt a littlesimet help from Walt Disney labor doluptatur autWorld. ipiet eumquas aut evendi Themos Nuckols family brought back lifelong memories from quas sit omnimus ciasperitium aut iur ma cusandtheir BBAdis journey, butulpa theyalitisti also returned something unt qui rerum con etwith volut molor more sinis tangible: A new group of friends who canatus sharesumquod in their joys and ne excestis doles nos voloreptatur issesorrows and who struntis offer constant support and understanding. quam comniae audigenim explibus aut molupmet whole bunches of friends and I get to see them ta “Iassint quia ditiis et arum verae soluptatus dolestr whenever cupta Bert has us get together,” says Ashlyn. umenist, consequi aspelit atiores totame expla“Not only was it thefacest trip of fuga. a lifetime got to bore, ullo idundi tem Atis[where idi temwe faccusa see] our daughter in that setting having the time of her life” voluptae nimin nimusam ipsam, exerum volorro ribussayssolore LaKesha, “but weet met some wonderful friends that we am dolor aut would have never met if not for Bert’s Big Adventure.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

magicmakers... SPEEDWAY CHILDREN’S CHARITIES - ATLANTA CHAPTER By Shaun Birindelli Executive Director

peedway Children’s Charities is excited to be associated with Bert’s Big Adventure and to participate in their amazing journey. The goal of Speedway Children’s Charities is to care for children in educational, ﬁnancial, social or medical need. What BBA does each year to give the children, as well as their families, relief from the day to day stress of dealing with their special medical needs is amazing. For the past two years we have been fortunate enough to attend the Send-Off Broadcast for these families and what an incredible event that is. To see on the faces of the children the excitement and joy this trip brings is an unbelievable gift. I am not sure what brings tears to your eyes more, the look the children have or the absolute appreciation you see on the faces of their parents. Either way, Bert’s Big Adventure does an incredible job of providing a reprieve from the daily grind of dealing with childhood illness and providing them with an opportunity to just be a kid. Last year Speedway Children’s Charities and Bert’s Big Adventure hosted a Bert’s Big Adventure Holiday Reunion Party at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Families from past trips were treated to a day of fun activities culminating with pace car rides around one of the fastest tracks in NASCAR. We at Speedway Children’s Charities look forward to more opportunities to assist Bert’s Big Adventure and the many families that beneﬁt from this amazing program.

JC PENNEY STORES By Michelle Austin, Assistant Manager, Store #2872

Santa & Candace at Holiday Reunion Adventure at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Michael Hall, Manager & Michelle Austin, Assistant Manager; JC Penney

hen James Cash Penney opened his first store in 1902 he had one Golden Rule- “Do unto others as you would have done unto you”. At JC Penney our associates are proud of working for a company that is based on such a rule. Bert’s Big Adventure is definitely a great cause that JC Penney was very proud to stand behind. Our 16 JC Penney stores in Atlanta gathered contributions from our associates to enable enough funds to create gift packs for each child that would make the trip. Our stores held bake sales, jean days and other fundraising events to make this possible. These gift packs included pajamas and a Disney themed outfit for each child, as well as Leapster Learning Systems for the smaller travelers. A Disney character watch was given to every child as an extra special souvenir. Also included were beach towels, sunscreen, blankets, Disney movies and a stuffed Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse for every child, along with other fun interactive items for them to enjoy. At JC Penney our philosophy is not only winning together as a team but also giving together as a team to our communities. Our 16 Atlanta area stores are made up of over 2,000 associates that are all very proud that we were able to give together to help make great memories for the special children and families of Bert’s Big Adventure.

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

Top photo: Ben Rose Photography

COURTNEY HICKMAN

THEN NOW

SHE HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE BREATHING THAT SHE WAS HUNCHED OVER AND SHE USED TO GET EXHAUSTED AFTER WALKING JUST

By Kate Parham

10-15 FEET.

For most 11-year-old girls, life is about friendship bracelets, sleepovers, Lip Smackers and first crushes. For Courtney Hickman, life is about hospitals, feeding tubes and lung infections—or at least that’s how life used to look for Courtney, who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at age 2 and has spent the majority of her life in the hospital. “Courtney has always been just like everyone else her age, except that she’s always been held back by her illness,” says Holly Hickman, Courtney’s mother. But in 2006 when Courtney’s family went on Bert’s Big Adventure, Courtney was finally able to feel like everyone else. “It was amazing,” says Holly. “They treat you like royalty and every kid was different so nobody stands out or feels left out.” The Hickman’s loved that BBA took care of everything, leaving their family only to worry about having fun. Their family made so many great memories and friends, some of whom they have kept in contact with over the years. “Nurse Cathy writes her constantly and comes to the hospital, and even Bert and Stacey come to visit pretty often, too,” Holly says. Originally from Bufurd, Ga., Courtney, Holly and her baby sister temporarily relocated to St. Louis in June of this year with the hopes that Courtney could get a lung transplant. After two months of separation from her stepfather and her 8-year-old brother, Courtney finally found a donor and received her lung transplant in August. She has since made an incredible comeback. “Everything about her

whole life has changed,” says Holly. Courtney’s lung function alone has increased from 24 percent to 70 percent, which allows her to do so much more. Holly beams as she describes how straight Courtney can stand up now and how much farther she can walk. “She had so much trouble breathing that she was always hunched over and she used to get exhausted after walking just 1015 feet,” Holly says. But not anymore. Since the transplant, both Courtney’s physical wellness and her mental health have drastically improved. “She thinks about the future now,” says Holly. “She never did that before. She’s really happy; she sings, she dances.” With three more months left to go in St. Louis, the Hickman’s are in the best of spirits, consumed with joy in the revival of their daughter’s life. It won’t be long before Courtney is applying Lip Smackers on the way to a sleepover.

then:

now:

Headshot

The Amerson Family

“

Dear Jonah, WE REALLY, REALLY LOVED THAT WE …I will always remember the day you met Buzz Lightyear. I will tell you the story of this day as HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE many times as you want to hear it, in case there are ever parts you forget as you grow up. I willWITH BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE, THIS always love you “to inﬁnity and beyond.”

WE’RE SO VERY GRATEFUL.

I love you so much, Mom

-TONJALI (AKAYA’S MOM)

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

”

FOR FOUR SHORT DAYS, I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO BE A “NORMAL” MOM. I WAS ALLOWED TO RELAX AND ENJOY MY CHILDREN FOR WHO THEY ARE. -CHERIE BAXTER

”

BY ALEXIS RHODES

“

akaya... THE ROBINSON FAMILY

Spirited and determined Akaya Robinson of Smyrna

is six years THE AMERSON old, butFAMILY she has already endured enough Untesequunt challenges to volum matchvolestia those many nusam times in essequide her age. ofﬁciis et Born with expe Down eatem Syndrome aped estis and sittwo estion heart repudam defects, rerae vollati Akaya was dolupta diagnosed tatatat with atiorpo Acute rerfera Myelogenous tectorrum ipsum facidi Leukemia in quam 2004,voluptatur, when she was te sustio. only 16 Nam months enest aut magnatium old. This form of que Leukemia—incredibly conectatio. Nequam eos raresinto in chilet et offictem dren—is a cancer ilit quaeofvenimagnis the blood solum and bone quis quam marrow, et odiam,causes which cum que infection-ﬁ nus et undebitat ghting blood ius volendi cells todolupform tas comnimpore abnormally. Ninedel months isto temoluptam of chemotherapy que resulted mi, sunt facestrum in doctor’s num visitsacerione every three enihil days, et, ium but Akaya quias dit is enut unt ut illantio ergetic and cancer-free dunt moluptas today.minias esto maxime litendi Experiencing doloremporem a vacation rereri re with doluptat Bert’s eos Big sam Adventure quam helped nectio Akaya and her family relax,coribus enjoy each and nimus molupient alique velesother, poratus connect unt withaudaescid other families in the same situation. Akaya sitatur, estiassum et most offic totaealso made many friends the trip, although the ones she ratur si berfern aturio on estiur? remembers are ofacearci the Disney variety. Igni nobit inbest estrum molupti te nonsequ iderfavorite of the trip seeing Minnie rov“Akaya’s itatus eaquo tepart doloreptatus etwas quam quid quunt Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy, and Goofy,” Tonjali laughs volorites susdandit adistrum ium sequibus suntioover tethe phone as Akaya emotes theaudiae background, still molor ehendunti resto velitwildly volesinpor as sunto clearly thrilled about the experience. “You canserum hear her explabo riatemp erchiciat quam quae num que– the feistiness is continuous!” none qui dolorest omni aliqui samus quatem dolumque Big et Adventure wasrerfera an opportunity forcil theipiderit Robinsons ea Bert’s sit quis estiusae dem. Offi reto enjoy a great vacation, the trip volor also helped hardniae niscition porupid et but ut fugiam, soluptithe iduciet working ever-positive Tonjali letdi gocon of some of hervoluptasworries— lacipsa and peliquuntis ut haribus porrore a challenge her biggest of theut vacation. ped quamshe ut remembers velecullamasenet facepres accab ip“I hades lots doubts going on quo the trip,” Tonjali explains. samet as of nesequae porum toreptiusda verum “I am a mom. I’m always concerned, but I was so wrong. It natiam hilit venisque qui sunt. was a fugit lot forlitataqui me to feel like bearum I could depend on someone Optat ommo eos sundant liquid else to take care my family, butellesecum we had everything we minihit molum ariofcum vendaep erum illupneeded. The hardest part wasma letting tatur aborrum ut laut evel quiago.” sant, id quid quae Bert’s Big Adventure a saving grace for the Robinporeiumquid qui voloriawas spellab imus. son family, had been struggling to overcome Et pore pliswhich re alitatur si quam et, solendit as si each quo health hurdle since 2003. Akaya’s brother Arnieas, whonon she blaborro te pellate sinias aut quam eum corrum cites as one ectiusdae. of her heroes, joined Akaya andpor their parplat laboria Utalso prorporum nis imet atem ents, and Mike Robinson, haris Tonjali quideserum quam sus. for the trip. Vacationing Walt il Disney World alsoquae inspired Akaya to Seque porecteatplab ius molorum eum quunt continue pursuing one of her loves, performing. labor simet doluptatur autgreatest ipiet eumquas aut evendi “Akaya anomnimus entertainer,” Tonjali smiles. likes to sing quas mosissit ciasperitium aut“She iur ma cusandwith her microphone, she loves to dance, pretends likesinis she unt qui dis rerum ulpa alitisti con etshe volut molor is a choir. directed the choir at church!” nedirecting excestis dolesShe noseven voloreptatur atus sumquod isseAn inspiring strengthexplibus in the face adverquam comniaepositivity struntisand audigenim autofmolupsity is something thatet each member the Robinson family ta assint quia ditiis arum veraeofsoluptatus dolestr shares, and it radiates in Akaya’s bubbly laugh in theexplabackumenist, cupta consequi aspelit atiores totame ground as her mother experience. bore, ullo idundi temrecaps facesther fuga. Atis idi tem faccusa “We really, really loved that we had the opportunity to voluptae nimin nimusam ipsam, exerum volorro ribusexperience this with Bert’s Big Adventure,” Tonjali says. am solore dolor aut et “We’re so very grateful.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

All photos this page: Ben Rose Photography

magicmaker... COOPER-ATLANTA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IS PROUD TO SPONSOR BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE

Michael Minyard

(l to r) Peggy Ewing, Bert Weiss & Dennis Cooper

s a silver sponsor for Bert’s Big Adventure, Cooper-Atlanta Transportation Services, inc. (CATS) has proudly served as the event’s transportation partner since 2008. Cooper-Atlanta joined this worthy philanthropic event after meeting Bert at a business networking event. After hearing about the children that Bert’s Big Adventure helps, CATS did not hesitate to help provided the transportation services needed to complete this amazing adventure!. “Once I found out what Bert’s Big Adventure was all about, I knew we had to get involved,” says Peggy Ewing, Marketing Director for CATS. “Everyone at CATS loves working on this project. Many of our Chauffeurs volunteer months in advance to drive for Bert’s Big Adventure - year after year. They love getting to meet the kids – and the kids LOVE riding in the big Limousines!” CATS picks up all of the kids and families involved with Bert’s Big Adventure each year and transports them from their homes to the hotel for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. On the return trip CATS picks them all up at the airport and brings them back to their homes. Ewing adds, “Some of our chauffeurs even bring the kids flowers and gifts when they get back into Atlanta. We really love these kids.” According to Dennis Cooper, Owner of CATS, “It’s important that companies like ours support these charitable functions to bring joy to terminally ill children and their families. Because of their special needs and financial strain, this amazing trip is an experience many of these children and families would not have without the help of Bert’s Big Adventure and all the sponsors involved. We are honored to be one of those sponsors.” Founded in 2005, Cooper Atlanta Transportation Services (CATS) has quickly become the premiere transportation service provider in the Atlanta luxury and business travel industry. To find out more about Cooper-Atlanta Transportation Services, Inc please visit us at www.cooper-atlanta.com.

“

MANY OF OUR CHAUFFEURS VOLUNTEER MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO DRIVE FOR BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE – YEAR AFTER YEAR.

Ashley Wagner

ImagineIt! Chidren’s Museum of Atlanta

magicmakers... IMAGINE IT! THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA By Betsy Harvey; Director of Marketing

magine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta has participated in Bert’s Big Adventure since 2004. This program is near and dear to our hearts. Our staff members thoroughly enjoy being a part of BBA and have many great memories from over the years. “They have the capacity to accept life as it is and keep marching on,” said Joyce Matthews, reservation coordinator at Imagine It! ”We attend these events to lift up the parents and children. When we leave, we are the ones uplifted.” For the past few years, we have been proud to be the meeting location for the BBA families for family orientation night. We are overjoyed to open our doors to the families, giving them a fun place to get to know each other and have a great time playing in our Museum. “Every day I work at the Museum, I wear my BBA pin,” said Joanne Gonzalez, Visitor Services staff member at Imagine It! “It makes me proud! It gives me the chance to tell others about the magic that happens when BBA comes into your life.” At the big send-off celebration, our staff gathers at the hotel to entertain the families as they countdown to take-off. Museum Imaginator, Jerry G. White, who has been a part of the program since 2004, loves to set the mood of excitement with interactive entertainment broadcast breaks. “BBA children inspire me to look at life differently,” said Lisa Bokovoy, marketing and communications coordinator at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. “Seeing how they live life positively and get through their obstacles is beyond inspiring.”

ImagineIt! Chidren’s Museum of Atlanta

POSH TOT EVENTS By Jennifer Shields; President & Founder

e were thrilled and honored when Bert’s Big Adventure approached Posh Tot Events to help create the Send-Off Party and Broadcast for 2009. VIP treatment for children is our specialty, but we have never had the opportunity to work with such a special group of children. From the initial planning discussions to seeing the last child off to the plane that would take them to Walt Disney World, the entire experience was rewarding and unique. We used a “Red Carpet” theme for the party and created special VIP passes for all the children, parents and siblings. Festive gold satin linens adorned the tables and Party City graciously donated amazing balloon bouquets as centerpieces. WOW Photo Booth was also kind enough to donate their services, and what fun that added to the party! We set out a trunk of princess and knight costumes for the children to play dress up. Disney Characters from Salon 123 in Roswell and unique entertainment and face painting from the staff at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta kept the kids busy and entertained. Each mom was able to enjoy their own unique pampering experience. We created a “Pampering Tent” that included makeup application by Authentic Beauty, hair styling by Aura Salon and mini chair massages. More than one mom mentioned feeling like a movie star. They boarded the plane to Walt Disney World relaxed, refreshed and looking beautiful.

Posh Tot Events

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

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THE WHOLE EXPERIENCEHeadshot STILL STICKS IN THEIR MINDS! -WILL (KATIE & JACOB’S DAD)

” The Amerson Family

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

katie & jacob... ac a co co THE STARK FAMILY

BY KIRSTEN OTT PALLADINO

The Starks are one, big, happy family—there are 11 of them. The two parents are Cheryl and Will. And the children THE AMERSON range in FAMILY age from 27 to 10. The oldest Untesequunt three are biological, volum and volestia the last nusam six are in essequide adopted and ofﬁciis all have et expe special eatem needs. aped Of those estis sit six,estion two are repudam Bert’s Big rerae vollati dolupta Adventure children:tatatat Jacob and atiorpo Katie. rerfera Jacobtectorrum is 10, in a ipsum facidiand wheelchair, quam hasvoluptatur, Down Syndrome, te sustio. as well Nam asenest Cereaut magnatium bral Palsy. His sister que conectatio. Katie, also Nequam 10, has Cri eosdu sinto Chat, et et offictem which is a developmental ilit quae venimagnis geneticsolum disorder quis caused quam by et odiam, cum deletion of part queof nus theetNo. undebitat 5 chromosome. ius volendi doluptasWith comnimpore six special-needs del isto children temoluptam at home, the que Stark mi, family sunt works hardernum than acerione most on a daily “Two quias are total facestrum enihilbasis. et, ium ditcare ut that ut can’t do anything for themselves at all,” says Will. “The unt illantio dunt moluptas minias esto maxime liother two can, but it’s pretty we’re stilleos doing most evtendi doloremporem rererimuch re doluptat sam quam erythingnectio for them.” Will and Cheryl reluctant they nimus molupient aliquewere coribus veleswhen poratus applied for Bert’s Big Adventure. “We weren’t sure if Bert’s Big sitatur, unt audaescid estiassum et most offi c totaeAdventure was ready for aestiur? family our size and for kids who are ratur si berfern aturio not cognitively normal,”acearci says Will. “I was so It wasn’t Igni nobit in estrum molupti te wrong. nonsequ iderjust acceptance. It was a jump in and run it kind ofquunt thing.” rov itatus eaquo te doloreptatus etwith quam quid Cheryl came down adistrum with pneumonia as soon as they tearvolorites susdandit ium sequibus suntio rived inehendunti Orlando, which in her being bed-ridden in molor restoresulted velit voles por audiae as sunto the hotel riatemp during the entire trip. Will,quae with six special-needs explabo erchiciat quam num serum que kids and older healthy daughter, and her husnone quihis dolorest omni aliqui samusJessica, quatem dolumque band, the park for some fun. “I was ea sit Robert, quis ethit estiusae rerfera dem.magical Officil ipiderit realone.niscition I hated to leave my extremely sick, but I needed niae porupid et wife ut fugiam, volor solupti iduciet to take the kids out.ut That’s whydiwe were there.voluptasWe were lacipsa peliquuntis haribus con porrore therequam for them. I didn’t want enet Jessica and Robert feel like ped ut velecullam facepres ut to accab ipthey were butporum the Bert team just picked verum up and samet esbabysitting, as nesequae quo toreptiusda took over, and it was wonderful. natiam hilit venisque qui sunt. Every time we went out, there were least two on their team with us. And with all Optat fugitatlitataqui ommo bearum eos sundant liquid that wasmolum going on wife, my family still couldillupnot minihit ari with cum my vendaep ellesecum erum have had a less-stressful timema than thesant, one we tatur aborrum ut laut evel quia id did.” quid quae For the kids,qui thevoloria major highlight the breakfast with the poreiumquid spellabwas imus. characters, from hugs, photo ops and as si well as Et pore plis re alitatur si quam et,autographs, solendit as quo the playgrounds. They sinias continue to quam relive their blaborro te pellate aut eummemories corrum with non the DVD of photos, the books they got there and the ed plat laboria ectiusdae. Ut prorporum nis imet porstuff atem animals. “The experience sticks in their minds,” says Will. haris quideserum quamstill sus. “And it probably forever. Bert and his team areeum an amazing Seque porectewill plab il ius molorum quae quunt group of people.” Will remains impressed the labor simet doluptatur autthoroughly ipiet eumquas autwith evendi heart and of the staff and volunteers for cusandBBA. “My quas mosthe sitpassion omnimus ciasperitium aut iur ma kids qui are diff says. “Theycon talk et to volut you, and you don’t unt diserent,” rerumhe ulpa alitisti molor sinis understand saying. They atus do goofy things.isseOne ne excestiswhat dolesthey’re nos voloreptatur sumquod of mine, the sun wears heraudigenim out and changes her aut emotionally. quam comniae struntis explibus molupSheassint was acting andettypically, you’d see somebodydolestr kind of ta quiaout, ditiis arum verae soluptatus stand away from her. That didn’t happen at all. There was no umenist, cupta consequi aspelit atiores totame explastand-offi I havefacest a childfuga. who drools all tem the time. And bore, ullosh-ness. idundi tem Atis idi faccusa if you don’tnimin have animusam heart for what you’re doing,volorro that puts you voluptae ipsam, exerum ribusoff. But it didn’t anybody that I saw. They just hugged am solore dolorphase aut et them, and it was amazing.”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

MOMENTS

on c e

u p o n

tim e. . .

2009 scrap book

2009

www.bertsbigadventure.org â&#x20AC;˘ magical moments magazine â&#x20AC;˘ 2009 Inaugural Issue

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FOLLOWING THE DIFFICULT PATH IN LIFE CAN BE THE ONE THAT IS MOST REWARDING.

”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

the journey... I A CLOSING MESSAGE FROM STACEY WEISS

t has been said, “Following the difficult path in life can be the one that is most rewarding.” This statement is validated each time we take flight on another Bert’s Big Adventure journey. And again as I watch Bert’s Big Adventure families struggle with the most mundane tasks in the daily care of their special needs child. Because of this, I realize that the challenges Bert and I faced establishing this organization were truly worth the effort. It was an entire year of overcoming many roadblocks before we were granted the right to be a non-profit public charity.

Bert and I are honored and proud to have founded this organization. Today we see the impact Bert’s Big Adventure has had on the lives of 73 families who have participated in the Walt Disney World trip and Reunion Adventures. We are grateful to all of the contributors – from those who give $1.00 to Atlantic Southeast Airlines, who charter our ﬂight annually. Thank you for believing in our mission and continuing to donate so that more children and families can create Magical Moments together. You remind us that taking that diﬃcult path is truly the most rewarding.

Stacey Weiss Co-Founder and President Bert’s Big Adventure

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue