Walt Disney World is the most magical place on earth. While the realities of life can often be devastating and brutal, there are moments and memories that can bring some sense of hope to even the most dire situation. One mother is now trying to make the magic of Disney World a reality for her sick child in hospice care.
A Mother’s Plea
In a heartfelt quest to bring joy to her terminally ill son, Amanda Idell, a devoted mother from San Antonio, Texas, strives to create precious memories amidst a challenging battle with childhood cancer. Her seven-year-old son, Paxton Idell, has courageously fought brain cancer since his diagnosis in April 2021. After enduring radiation therapy and chemotherapy, Paxton briefly enjoyed a year of remission, but cancer resurfaced in a different form two years later.
The relentless struggle against this devastating disease has not been easy for Paxton and his family. Amanda shares that while her son is normally full of life, she fears the quiet moments when he isn’t himself. “It’s actually how I knew he needed blood or platelet transfusions because he wouldn’t be quite like this,” she reveals in an interview with KENS5 News.
September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, shedding light on a disease affecting over fifteen thousand children in the United States annually. Paxton’s journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, filled with moments of hope and despair. “A relapse of this cancer is not good, and so now it’s like: how do I have him experience as much as I can in a short amount of time?” Amanda ponders. “I have no idea how long.”
@amandaidell Normally we would be on our way home to San Antonio after chemo. Instead… we took a deive to Mississippi for Paxton’s first cancer. You could say we took the long way home. It was a night neither of the kids will forget especially being together. 10 days until scans to check on how chemo is working. #pediatriccancerfamily #medulablastoma #relapsedcancer #stjude #takethelongwayhome @Lindsey Stirling @Walk off the Earth
Sending a Terminally Ill Child to Disney World
With the assistance of the nonprofit organization Campaign One At a Time, Amanda is determined to grant Paxton a respite from his grueling medical regimen. The campaign aims to raise funds to send Paxton and his family on a heartwarming trip to Disney World and Give Kids the World Village, a special Central Florida resort designed to cater to children with critical illnesses.
Amanda’s deepest wish is to create cherished memories for Paxton outside the confines of a hospital room. “Just the chance for him to be a kid,” she expresses. “Just to try to forget about the fact that he has cancer.” The organization needs to raise $5,000 to make this dream a reality.
Paxton’s story is devastating, and his mother’s determination to offer him a glimpse of joy in the face of adversity is heartwarming and inspiring. As Amanda reflects on her son’s resilient spirit, she shares, “It’s more than just leaving the hospital and treatment schedule. It’s a break that brings hope, happiness, and motivation. Even when things are tough, this adventure will be the guiding light, showing how strong and tough he is and that life can still be wonderful and exciting even when things are hard.”
Amanda Idell’s unwavering love and the community’s support exemplify the power of compassion and unity in the face of life’s greatest challenges. Together, they hope to allow Paxton to experience the magic of Disney World and create enduring memories that will shine brightly even in the darkest times. We definitely want to see all the pictures when it happens!
