Resort helps make wish come true

CAPTION: The Dorsey’s (Andrea 2nd from left with long braids) on the Sigatoka Safari ‘push push punt’ with Bill Raqauqau. Photo: Supplied.

She was diagnosed with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes when she was two months old and since then has been in and out of hospital her whole life. Being insulin dependent means, Andrea Dorsey who is now 14 years old, needs insulin to survive. Children with type 1 diabetes, depending on their age, must learn how to give injections, count carbohydrates and monitor blood sugar. This according to Andrea’s mother Sabrina, has been her life since she was born.

Andrea and her family were holidaying at the Outrigger on the Lagoon · Fiji as a part of Andrea’s wish granted by the ‘Make a Wish’ foundation which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

The Dorsey’s from Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the United States are a family of 6, Sabrina and Tim are parents to Tim Junior 22 years old, Andrew 16, Brandy 20 and Andrea 14, didn’t know much about Fiji.

“I’ve always wondered about Fiji and I’d always thought that I wanted to go there. I was thinking about Fiji a while before I got my wish and I was thinking about a lot of things and I chose Fiji as my wish”, Andrea said.

“We knew very little about Fiji but through her we’re learning a lot and it is certainly a very beautiful island and the people have been so welcoming and we really love it.  I hope that this will be a very important personal experience for Andrea and our family where we will grow and learn from it. There’s so much to do,” Andrea’s mother Sabrina stated.

Sabrina says the ‘Make a wish Foundation’ has really made Andrea’s wish come true and is providing her and their family a wonderful opportunity to learn and experience a new culture together.

“It is really good what they do for children like Andrea and other kids who have chronic diseases or cancer because a lot of times these kids spend a lot of time in the hospital, they spend a lot of time at the doctors and that because kind of like their focus and their world. So being able to do something like this, I think for Andrea is widening her horizon and makes her outlook and perspective on things more positive. Especially being able to come to some place like this which she has done all the research, she’s read the books, we haven’t,” Sabrina continued.

“It’s been wonderful in Fiji. The Zip Lining was really fun and being in the rain forest is amazing.

I want to say thank you to my parents for taking care of me my whole life because it is a lot to cope with,” Andrea said ecstatically.

Echoing her daughters love for Fiji Sabrina said, “Everyone is so welcoming and helpful to us and since we’ve come we’ve been made right at home.

Whilst at the Outrigger on the Lagoon · Fiji, Andrea wished to experience a cave tour. The resort assisted Andrea in making her wish come true and through a strong partnership with Sigatoka River Safari, which offers the only off road cave tour (Nahehe cave) in Sigatoka, Andrea and her family were given a free tour. Sigatoka River Safari Sales and Marketing Manager Angie Lal said, “We would be more than happy to assist in making Andreas wish come true!!”

Outrigger on the Lagoon · Fiji General Manager Peter Hopgood said the resort was excited to have been a part of making Andrea’s wish come true. “We are so glad to have been a part of making Andrea’s wish come true and we take much pride in knowing that we contributed to the rich cultural experience that Fiji has to offer the Dorsey’s,” Mr Hopgood stated. “The Dorsey’s are one of many families that travel to our resort as a part of their ‘wish’ through the ‘Make a Wish Foundation’ and we are always more than happy to be a part of making a child’s dream come true to help them live a better normal life.”

Outrigger on the Lagoon · Fiji was recently recognised as the Best Deluxe Accommodation in Fiji at the 2012 AON Excellence in Tourism awards, as well as the Best Fine Dining Restaurant.

The resort prides itself on delivering all the luxury of a five star property with the unforgettable warmth only found in a traditional Fijian village.

Visit the Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji website (www.outriggerfiji.com) to find out more about our premium services.

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