‘Tis the season of giving, but recently I was on the receiving end of a very special gift.
It came during the recent Sunshine Foundation DreamLift to Disneyland for children with physical disabilities or severe illnesses.
What was given to me was not something tangible, something that you could hold in your hand, but it was definitely something you could wrap your heart around.
As it turned out, the gift giver was a little 10-year-old girl from Okanagan Falls by the name of Megan Donesley.
The first time I saw Megan was just after we landed at John Wayne International Airport as she was being carried down the ramp from the plane’s rear exit door by two of the volunteers.
The reason she was being carried in the special airline seat is because Megan has severe spina bifida, a devastating condition confining her to a wheelchair.
What I saw next was heartbreaking as they began lifting Megan to put her in her personal chair, the pain on her face and a single tear on her cheek made me turn away.
But that was the first part of the gift of understanding she gave me that day.
The next part of my present didn’t come until a little later, inside the gates of the Magic Kingdom.
Megan was in the front row of a group of people watching a street performance by the favourite Disney characters.
Kneeling beside her, taking pictures, I wondered what was going through her mind, when I noticed she was looking at me with what I’m sure was that same quizzical expression.
It was just then that (I think fittingly, at least in my case) Goofy came over, and putting a paw to his lips the two of them seemed to be sharing a joke I was not privy to.
At that point Megan could hardly contain herself and broke into the biggest smile I’d ever seen.
Despite her “condition,” she was having the time of her life and I realized sadness and pity had no place here and judging someone by only what you see is the real handicap.
Shortly afterwards Megan disappeared into the crowds of happy people zig-zagging through the park. I think I caught a glimpse of her being pushed along with that same big smile.
The next time we saw each other was at the airport for the return flight home.
Therapist Mary Ellen Everatt was with Megan during the day and confirmed the little girl got to see all the beautiful princesses and the many other things she had hoped to on the trip.
It was at this time Megan decided to speak for herself for the first time we met.
“It’s incredible,” were her words.
For me as well the day had a very happy ending and the tear I saw on the cheek was wiped away by that smile.
So, thank you Megan Donesley for that special gift, and Merry Christmas.
Mark Brett is a photographer/reporter with the Penticton Western News.
