By Sadie Toulany, MARLANT PA

Imagine a village that resembles a life-size version of Candy Land – the dining hall is located in a jumbo gingerbread house, the ice cream parlour opens at daybreak, Halloween is celebrated in January, there is unlimited access to the Enchanted Carousel, and themed events enthral each evening.

For eight-year-old Parker, son of Formation Halifax members Sgt Jason and Cpl Charlene Dunfield, this fantasy world does exist. Mayor Clayton, a gigantic bunny, watches over the fun land also known as, Give Kids The World, a resort designed specifically for children with life-threatening illnesses.

“Parker was diagnosed with a heart condition when he was three, and was placed in intensive care for a month,” explains his mom, Cpl Dunfield, a Supply Technician based out of Willow Park. “In 2011, Parker’s cardiologist and grandmother both encouraged us to apply with the Children’s Wish Foundation. All he wanted was to meet a specific Disney character, Handy Manny, but what we experienced was more than we could have asked for.”

Thanks to the foundation, the Dunfield family, along with Parker’s grandmother, travelled to Florida, bound for Walt Disney World on Jan. 20, 2012. They were greeted by an Ambassador tour bus that transported them to the airport for Parker’s first plane ride. “We really had to grasp the scale of the Wish,” says Sgt Dunfield, an Aircraft Structure Technician at 12 Wing Shearwater. “We hadn’t even arrived to Florida yet and we were already taken away.”

What came next were eight days filled with excitement and smiles that Parker will never forget. Parker not only met one Disney character, he nearly filled his signature book with Disney’s favourite personalities. The family ventured to a different park each day, from dawn till dusk, and the entertainment continued at the Give Kids The World Resort.

“Whatever they think can make the children happy they do it. They never say no to the kids. There’s never enough fun, or M&Ms and whipped cream on pancakes. It’s all about the kids, and they deserve it,” explains Sgt Dunfield.

The theme parks are familiar with the Give Kids The World button. This special button grants kids front line access to all of the rides, and immediate recognition from the Disney characters, who often visit the village for children who are unable to travel to the parks. Volunteers help run the resort. Mayor Clayton makes personal requests, and he even tucked Parker and his grandmother, each into their own bed one night.

“Parker made friends with most of the staff. He really enjoyed hanging out with the mayor and all of the other characters. As soon as a character showed up, we didn’t exist any more,” laughs his mom.

The Dunfields are so grateful for the Children’s Wish Foundation for giving Parker and all of the other kids like him the opportunity to make their dreams come true. “Parker had the time of his life, we all did. But the trip was all about him, and we have 1,500 pictures to prove it,” says his mom.

Photo caption

Mickey Mouse, Debra Dunfield,  Charlene Dunfield, Jason Dunfield, Parker Dunfield and Minnie Mouse  meet during the Dunfield family’s visit to Walt Disney World. The Children’s Wish Foundation made possible the family’s trip to Florida.

Photo by Give Kids The World volunteer photographer

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