Barbara’s Lifelong Magical Dream Comes True at Disney World

When Barbara was a baby, her birth parents left her at an orphanage. Born with moderate intellectual disabilities, Barbara’s parents decided they couldn’t care for her. She spent her entire childhood in the foster care system, continually overlooked by prospective parents because of her disabilities. Much of her childhood was a mystery due to limited state documentation.

Barbara was never adopted, and eventually aged out of the foster care system. With no family, no ability to read or write, limited speech capabilities, and an inability to support herself, Barbara was transferred to an adult care facility.

Now, at age 76, Barbara resides in a senior living community in Georgia. No family of Barbara’s was ever discovered, so the Director of Nursing at the facility acts as her guardian.

“We are her family here at the nursing home,” said Missy, Activities Director at her senior living community.

Despite the challenges she has faced, Barbara radiates joy. She is a beloved presence among the residents, their families, and the staff, who have all embraced her as one of their own. Even when some residents at her care facility have passed away, their family members continue to come back to visit Barbara.

She participates in every activity that she can at the nursing home and loves going shopping. Her favorite activity is the monthly bus outing to the countryside, followed by a stop at the local Dairy Queen.

Missy saw how the little things in life brightened Barbara’s day and filled her with childlike wonder, but she also noticed one certain thing that continually captured Barbara’s attention. “When she sees Disney World ads on TV, she just lights up,” Missy said.

When asked where she would go, if she could travel anywhere in the world, Barbara said, “I want to go to Disney World!” Missy filled out the Wish of a Lifetime application for a trip to Disney World on Barbara’s behalf, requesting two companions that are necessary in Barbara’s unique situation.

Wish of a Lifetime was honored to grant Barbara’s wish and bring added joy to a woman who has never known life outside of a care facility.

Before embarking on the trip, her senior living community gathered together for a special sendoff that they knew Barbara would love, complete with posters, confetti, balloons, and handwritten letters of encouragement.

Accompanied by Missy as well as the Director of Nursing, John, Barbara traveled to Orlando, Florida, to visit the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Upon her arrival, a Wish of a Lifetime volunteer delivered a Disney-themed gift basket to Barbara filled with snacks, sunscreen, a Mickey Mouse tote bag, water bottles, and Mickey ears.

“Barbara’s favorite parts of the trip were meeting Mickey Mouse and Snow White,” Missy reported. “She also was amazed at how Cinderella’s castle changed with the fireworks show. One of her favorite shows was the singing birds at the Enchanted Tiki Room.”

Since returning from Disney World, Missy sees changes in Barbara. “Barbara has been so happy since we’ve come home. It made her feel really loved and celebrated,” she said.

Even as a woman with limited speech abilities, throughout this experience, excitement exuded from Barbara. “Barbara has never had the chance to do something remotely close to this in her life,” Missy continued. “Thank you for making a dream come true for this sweet lady. Because of Wish of a Lifetime, her world is so much brighter.”