David’s New York City dream finally comes true!

NEW York is the heady home of Friends, Broadway and the Statue of Liberty. It is also the city where David, a person with a learning disability, lifelong dream came true with a once-in-a-lifetime festive trip.

David Day, who is supported by the national learning disability charity Hft, has been saving for 10 years to make this dream trip a reality. He was met with many obstacles along his way, not just the expense of the trip but also the Covid-19 pandemic and other practical considerations around how to support his needs whilst abroad.

However, David’s 10 years of savings and £750 in support from Hft’s Extra Special Fund – a fund dedicated to creating special moments and memories in the lives of people we support – made sure every experience on his wish list could be ticked off.

Helen Stewart, David’s longstanding support worker, accompanied David on his whirlwind dream trip to The Big Apple. She explained the trip and all the experiences in detail:

“From the very start, we knew the trip was going to be extra special; David was invited to meet the pilot in the plane’s cockpit before hopping in a big yellow taxi to kick things off.

“The first day began with breakfast at a 1950’ss diner where David ordered scrambled eggs and maple bacon. His face, honestly! Once full, we headed to our first big stop which was Staten Island by ferry in amazing blue-sky weather. After a return journey past the Statue of Liberty, we landed at the World Trade Centre which was all done out for Christmas and was full of trees and little Christmas shops.

“We took the opportunity to visit ‘Ground Zero’ and view the memorial before heading to the very top of the Empire State Building. For what must have been about three hours, David bustled about the observation deck, speaking with Santa and thoroughly enjoying walking around the deck to peer out through the telescopes at the panoramic views.”

The following day, David and Helen experienced their first of three Broadway shows – the Radio City Rockets Christmas Show! They then took a stroll past the towering Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Centre and through Central Park. From there, it was just a short hop to Central Park Zoo where David spotted a snow leopard!

The third day saw David and Helen ready for another Christmas-themed day out, the Santaland shopping experience at Macy’s.

Helen said:

“We were queuing for two hours in our Christmas jumpers and hats! It’s absolutely massive and just magical. The staff cheer you in and it’s got lots of different sections to it. There were mechanical squirrels on the walls, trains going around, and you get to meet Santa at the end… we must have been in there for about an hour – followed by three hours looking around Macy’s!

“This was followed by a second Broadway show- Aladdin. I’ve never seen a show like it in my life, we had such good tickets! We’d got David and I seats just four rows back, and it was something else. In the end, I managed to get them to bring out the magic lamp they used on stage, so David could have a picture with it. He absolutely loved it.”

Helen also managed to secure a reservation for Tea at The Plaza. Although The Plaza was fully booked until the end of January, Helen was so determined to make it happen and spoke to the staff to make this special part of David’s New York dream come true.

Naturally, the day didn’t end there! There was still time to join the crowds for the Saks Fifth Avenue light show, by which David was mesmerised, before the pair’s third Broadway show of their visit, A Christmas Carol.

Helen said:

“All of these experiences were beyond enjoyable and memorable, not forgetting the countless trips to Christmas markets, breakfast diners and a few Irish pubs along the way.

“If you could see all the photos I’ve got here you’d see there is not one single photo where David hasn’t got the biggest Cheshire Cat grin! It just made my Christmas to see him so happy. I can’t even describe the feeling; being able to make his New York wish come true is something I’ve wanted for him for so long.

“There were quite a lot of things to put in place, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

David also wanted to comment on the trip:

“Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen for me. It was everything I have dreamed of and more.”