Bert's Big Adventure Magical Moments

2009 INAUGURAL ISSUEwww.BertsBigAdventure.org

www.bertsbigadventure.org • 404.303.8312 ‘magical moments’ magazine • 200911

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

staff contents

ON THE COVERTop to bottom:

Jonah, Akaya, Devon and Ashlyn

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2009 INAUGURAL ISSUEwww.BertsBigAdventure.org

BERT’S LETTER ...........................................................................................3WHAT IS BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE? ....................................................4THE AMERSON FAMILY .............................................................................5FAMILY CONNECTIONS .............................................................................7VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT .........................................................................8THE CLENDENIN FAMILY ..........................................................................9ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES ....................................................11THE GARCIA FAMILY ...............................................................................13AMY MOOSBRUGGER ............................................................................15MEDICAL STAFF .......................................................................................16THE GOSS FAMILY ...................................................................................17COUNTRY CLUB OF ROSWELL ............................................................19SIBLING SPOTLIGHT: BRENDAN MOISES ........................................20THE HENNEBERG FAMILY .....................................................................21BEYOND THE MAGIC ..............................................................................23THEN AND NOW: MARCELLA .............................................................24THE KRUSZYNSKI FAMILY ....................................................................25SHERATON GATEWAY ATLANTA AIRPORT ...................................27PARENT PERSPECTIVE ..........................................................................28THE MELTON FAMILY ..............................................................................29DONOR THANK YOU ..............................................................................31THE MERRION FAMILY ............................................................................33STAFF PERSPECTIVE ..............................................................................35BY THE NUMBERS ..................................................................................36THE MILLINGTON FAMILY ......................................................................37WE REMEMBER ........................................................................................39THE NIGRO FAMILY ..................................................................................41BE A PART OF THE MAGIC ...................................................................43THEN AND NOW: THE FREW FAMILY................................................44THE NUCKOLS FAMILY ...........................................................................45SPEEDWAY CHILDREN’S CHARITIES/JC PENNEY .......................47THEN AND NOW: COURTNEY HICKMAN ........................................48THE ROBINSON FAMILY .........................................................................49COOPER-ATLANTA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ......................51IMAGINE IT!/ POSH TOT EVENTS ......................................................52THE STARK FAMILY .................................................................................532009 TRIP SCRAPBOOK .......................................................................55STACEY’S LETTER ...................................................................................65

P.O. Box 420917 • Atlanta, GA 30342404.303.8312 • BertsBigAdventure.org

All photos courtesy of Stacey Bode Photography

unless otherwise noted.

22

BERT’S BIG ADVENTUREBert WeissChairman of The BoardStacey WeissPresidentAmy MoosbruggerProgram DirectorChris KappyDevelopment DirectorMedical Staff Michelle Presley, MDTom McQuail, MDCathy Robinson, RNGeorgann BilletdeauxAccounting Manager

MAGICAL MOMENTS MAGAZINEStacey WeissPublisherAmy MoosbruggerEditor-In-ChiefAndi Hill/360 MediaManaging EditorMichael Birchall/Troika Studio, Inc.Art Director

When we started to conceptualize Bert’s Big Adventure in 2002, we only dreamed of the impact that this trip could have on children with chronic or terminal illnesses and their

families. We knew that getting the entire family out of their routine and putting them in the most magical place on earth, Walt Disney World, could be, well, magical.

Several trips later, with the help of The Bert Show radio-lis-tening community, our dreams have completely been realized! Let me share some of the moments from Bert’s Big Adven-ture that best capture what this trip means to these families.

I’ve seen the most introverted kids come to life when inter-acting with other kids on the trip. I’ve seen parents cry when watching their wheelchair-bound child challenge himself to enjoy the thrill of being in a swimming pool for the fi rst time. I’ve seen the despair in parents’ faces eliminated when they watch their child belly laugh for the fi rst time in years.

I’ve heard the group laughter of children being the cen-ter of attention as the world waved back when they were Grand Marshalls in the Walt Disney World parade. I’ve seen the wide-eyed amazement from children staring into the eyes of characters they’ve only seen in movies and books. I’ve seen the impact of what the gift of time can do to fami-lies that are constantly pressured, wondering when their worst fears will be realized.

When you take a peek into the daily lives of the families

dealing with children that have chronic or terminal illnesses, you can understand why one, expense-free trip to Walt Dis-ney World is so impactful. Their daily lives include fi ghting with the transporting of wheelchairs, watching their child exhausted after another round of chemotherapy, the strain of being sure the proper pills are being taken at the right time or the uncertainty of knowing if they can pay the enor-mous medical bills.

Through the Walt Disney World trip, and now, Reunion Ad-ventures, Bert’s Big Adventure simply takes these families away from the daily routine of stress and provides intimate time where, for a few short moments, their focus turns from a doctor to Mickey Mouse instead. The sight of another hos-pital is replaced by Cinderella’s castle. Rather than going to the clinic or therapist, they’re re-uniting with friends. Pain turns into laughter.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONTINUING TO MAKE THESE MAGICAL MOMENTS POSSIBLE.

Bert WeissCo-Founder and Chairman of the Board

A MESSAGE FROM BERT WEISSthe vision...

“I’VE SEEN THE

IMPACT OF WHAT

THE GIFT OF

TIME CAN DO TO

FAMILIES THAT

ARE CONSTANTLY

PRESSURED,

WONDERING WHEN

THEIR WORST

FEARS WILL

BE REALIZED.

-BERT WEISS ”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue33

what is bba?ONCE UPON A TIME...

In 1996, Atlanta morning radio personality Bert Weiss’ life changed when he took a trip to Walt Disney World with 100 children with chronic or terminal illnesses as part of Kidd’s Kids, an organization based in Dallas, Texas.“It took me a weekend at Walt Disney World with these kids to

realize how blessed my life had been,” said Weiss. “Most of these kids had never lived a day in their life that wasn’t a struggle.”

Weiss, who came to Atlanta in 2001 to host The Bert Show on All the Hits Q100 (99.7 FM), was inspired by his previous experience and launched a similar organization of his own. His goal was to provide an unforgettable event for Atlanta-area children stricken with chronic and/or terminal illnesses and their families. In 2002, Weiss and his wife, Stacey, established Bert’s Big Adventure as an offi cial tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profi t organization.

Their mission was to organize an annual trip to Orlando for those whose special needs may otherwise hinder such a trip, covering the expenses of all travel, accommodations, meals and admission to Walt Disney World.

In March 2003, Bert’s Big Adventure made its inaugural trip to Walt Disney World with seven children and their families. Since then, the organization has grown considerably. Annually, families are chosen for this trip of a lifetime and continue to benefi t from Bert’s Big Adventure’s charitable contributions.

OUR MISSION...Bert’s Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) non-profi t organization that provides a spectacular fi ve day journey to Walt Disney World for children with a chronic and/or terminal illness and their families. This trip and the year round programs that follow each adventure allow participants to…

• Establish lasting friendships with others facing similar challenges, • Experience events and venues that otherwise could not be aff orded • Enjoy the gift of intimate family time together where the focus turns from living with an illness to making magical moments

Bert’s Big Adventure serves children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old, live in The Bert Show radio listening area (All the Hits Q100, 99.7 FM) in metro Atlanta, prove fi -nancial need and have never been to Walt Disney World®. Once a family has been chosen for Bert’s Big Adventure, they are a Bert’s Big Adventure family for life. In addition to the trip and year round programs, Bert’s Big Adventure provides certain additional charitable services that are necessary to the fulfi llment of its charitable purpose.

4

Dear Jonah,…I will always remember the day you met Buzz Lightyear. I will tell you the story of this day as many times as you want to hear it, in case there are ever parts you forget as you grow up. I will always love you “to infi nity and beyond.”

I love you so much,Mom

Headshot

The Amerson Family

THIS TRIP WASN’T ABOUT

THEIR DIFFERENCES. IT

WAS JUST ABOUT THEM

BEING KIDS.

-ROSE (RAVEN’S MOM)


“

”

55

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THE AMERSON FAMILY

“FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE

A “NORMAL” MOM.

I WAS ALLOWED TO

RELAX AND ENJOY

MY CHILDREN FOR

WHO THEY ARE.

-CHERIE BAXTER

”

Ask 11-year-old Raven Amerson what she wants to be when she grows up and she’ll tell you a doc-tor. “I want to be the head of diagnostics so I can fi gure out what’s wrong with people. And I want to work at Children’s because I want to help sick kids get better.” Of course, a few years ago she might have said a ballerina or a princess, but that was before she was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that developed a tumor in her sinus cavity and eventually landed her in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for months.

“It was really dumb luck that we found it,” says her mother, Rose Brown. “She didn’t really have any signs oth-er than being lethargic and congested, but we all have bad allergies, so we thought she had a sinus infection. When I heard cancer, it took me a couple of minutes to process it, but then I threw up.”

Despite the severity of her diagnosis—her fi rst two weeks were very touch and go—it was Raven that nev-er lost hope. “When we fi rst told her it was cancer, she couldn’t talk but she gave me a thumbs up,” Brown says. “She immediately dealt with it better than I could. That’s when I was like, ‘Okay. Let’s take care of this.’”

So the entire family manned up and stayed positive and tried to make it as easy as possible. “She got really upset when she learned she was going to lose her hair,” Brown says. “So before it could fall out we shaved her head and gave her a Mohawk and dyed it bright purple.”

But the 32 sessions of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation treatments were tough on her little body. “After she had been so sick, she told me that she wanted to talk to the younger, sick kids to let them know that it would be alright,” Brown says. “I think the entire experience really made her grow up fast.”

So did the team at Bert’s Big Adventure and that’s why they chose Raven and her family to be part of their trip to Walt Disney World. “I got to go and have a really good time,” Raven says. “It made me feel good because I got to talk to a lot of the other kids about how things will get better for them. But it made me sad, too, because it re-minded me of what I went through.”

Of course Raven knew she was on the trip because she had been sick, but that didn’t matter to her in the least. “They are all sick but they are still just kids,” Brown says. “This trip wasn’t about their diff erences. It was just about them being kids.”

THE AMERSON FAMILY

raven...“

”

www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue 66

BY

SA

RA

H G

LEIM

77

THEN & now:

now:

Upon entering the tent for the

gathering, you would think you

were walking into a child’s birth-

day party. Th ere is a monstrous

moonwalk, popcorn, snow cones, a face

painter and colorful bouquets of swirling,

sweet cotton candy.

Families gathered at tables adorned in the fi nest red and white picnic style cloths to catch up, while little ones scurried about with their pals. But if you were really paying attention, you would notice some children sporting bandages, scars from surgeries and maybe even a tube here and there. Th is was not a birthday party. It’s an annual reunion for Bert’s Big Adventure, a 5-day trip to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families.

to relate,” adds Candi Kruszynski, whose son Drew, 5, Jonah and Devon have become friends.

“I knew I could call Candi at fi ve in the morning and say, ‘we have to go to the hospi-tal. I need support,’ and she would be there,” Henneberg says.

We pause to watch Drew and Jonah play while waiting in line for face painting.

Kruszynski explains, “We keep up with each others appointments, surgeries, disap-pointments and triumphs. I feel like we are a family. Maybe not the kind that I would ask for, given our sick children, but a family none-theless. We are each other’s support team.”

As for the little ones, they are just happy to get to be kids and make friends on the trip.

familyBY: MEREDITH A. LEY

“For some of us, we haven’t seen each other since the trip- we pick up right where we left off . And then some of us talk once a month if not once a week,” says Kerrie Henneberg whose son Jonah, 6, was diagnosed with Bili-ary Atresia at 4 months.

At the time, she, Candi Kruszynski and Kimberly Milliron, were single mothers, each with a son on the 2009 trip. Unfortunately, Kimberly and her son Devon, 6, were unable to attend the reunion, but Candi and Kerrie explained it was the single mom common denominator which allowed them to come away with a long lasting bond.

“We can look at each other and know exactly how the other is feeling. It’s in their eyes. We all have family and friends, but they don’t have sick children so it’s hard for them

brandon & denzel

Brandon Perkins, now 11, went on the 2006 trip after being diagnosed with Opitz Syndrome at a young age and has always communicated using sign language. It was there where he met Denzel.

“He was really excited to meet Denzel on the trip because he could also sign. They now go to school and ride the bus together! [Brandon] worries about Den-zel if he is not on the bus. I always check and make sure he is okay,” says his mother Pam.

While Bert’s Big Adventure is indeed a trip to Walt Disney World, it also goes beyond what is expected, providing lasting memories and the opportunity for these families to connect and have fellowship that continues long after they return home.

Program founder, Bert Weiss of Q100’s The Bert Show, still gets excited when he explains their purpose.

“It’s a whole bunch of parents and kids going through similar circumstances. The goal is not just to have the trips and reunions, but also to make sure the families stay connected. Its like a big security net.”

Judging by the reunion, Bert’s Big Adventure is doing just that. It’s showing no sign of slowing down, thanks to it’s many volunteers and supporters. It is expected that many more families will be given the gift of time together and support for years to come.

then:

Drew & CandiKruszynski

Kerrie & JonahHenneberg

KimberlyMilliron & DevonNigro

B Y : M E R E D I T H A. LEY

Denzel & Brandon

volunteer spotlightCREATING MAGICAL MEMORIES

Listening to the Bert Show, and inspired by the commitment from Bert and Stacy, Cindy was deter-mined to help. Wanting to contrib-ute in her own way, Cindy started to lobby her employers to become a corporate sponsor of Bert’s Big Adventure in 2004. When the “big check” didn’t come through, Cindy re-routed to start a grass roots campaign in her office. Creative ideas were generated and enough money was raised through this effort to provide gift cards, Disney t-shirts and pajamas for the trip and Disney character costumes at the send-off party. Six years later these costumes are still one of the most exciting parts of the send-off and one of the first signs to all the families that there is more fun to come!

“Anything we can think of to make their lives more magical” is what Cindy and her grass roots campaigns work toward.

HEARTFELT CONNECTIONSLisa, “the Connector,” fi rst met Bert and Stacey through Usher’s New Look Foundation, fell in love with Bert’s Big Adventure, and wanted to help. Lisa’s background as a magazine editor was extreme-ly helpful with the initial planning of Magical Moments magazine

Last year, Lisa saw that there was a wish list of items still need-ed for the trip... and went to work. Reaching out to her friend Mike Hall from JC Penney, (who in Lisa’s words, “has the biggest heart of anyone I know”) Lisa wanted to see how much money they could raise for the wish list items. Through in-store bake sales in 16 JC Penney stores, Mike was able to raise all the money needed for the items.

Then Lisa and Mike got to shop! Lisa’s involvement with Bert’s Big Adventure is an inspiration and truly shows that anything can be done with a little love and connectivity.

By: Lauren Leong

YOUR HEART IS NOT WHAT YOU SEE, BUT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BEHIND-THE-SCENES CONTRIBUTORS TO KEEP YOU MOVING FORWARD. CIN-DY POWERS AND LISA KINCHEN-WATSON TRULY REPRESENT TWO HEARTS RUNNING STRONG BEHIND BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE...COMING UP WITH NEW IDEAS FOR THE KIDS, FUNDRAISING AND FULFILLING WISH LISTS ARE JUST SOME OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS CINDY AND LISA PROVIDE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE FAMILIES.

LISA KINCHEN

CINDY POWERS

Lisa Kinchen & Amy Moosbrugger

Cindy, center, surrounded by the many characters she

brings to the send-off .


CINDY AND LISA CONTINUE TO GEN-ERATE NEW IDEAS, ACTIVITIES AND FUNDRAISERS TO PROVIDE ONGO-ING SUPPORT TO MANY FAMILIES BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE TRIP. AS SPECIAL MEMORIES ARE MADE AND HEARTS ARE TOUCHED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THESE TWO EX-TRAORDINARY WOMEN, ONE QUOTE AND A SMILE WRAP IT UP THE BEST:

“

””motion

love in arevolunteers

88



Headshot

The Amerson Family



THE AMERSON FAMILY

“FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE

A “NORMAL” MOM.

I WAS ALLOWED TO

RELAX AND ENJOY

MY CHILDREN FOR

WHO THEY ARE.

-CHERIE BAXTER

”

Michael Clendenin’s middle name should be Fear-less. Nothing slows this 7, almost 8-year-old down, despite being diagnosed with Esosinophilic Esopha-gitis at the young age of 2 ½. The very simplifi ed explanation of his diagnosis essentially means he is allergic to every food except four–potatoes, chicken, broccoli, and oatmeal; the only condiments he can use alongside those foods are–sugar, oil, and salt.

While Michael’s diet cannot be adventurous, his life is. During Bert’s Big Adventure, Michael rode a plane for the very fi rst time and was thrilled about that. He loved walk-ing through the hanger to catch the fl ight and bypassing the airport terminal. But, his favorite moment of the trip was riding a roller coaster with Bert…this thrill-seeker rode every single coaster at Walt Disney World.

The trip itself was unbelievable, but Michael’s mother Cindy thinks the most incredible thing about the BBA ex-perience was interacting with and meeting all the other families that shared in the trip, she says, “Even though the circumstances are diff erent, we all know what each other goes through everyday just having a child with a chronic or terminal illness.” She fi nishes, “The friendships that we formed on this trip were lifelong.”

Michael is very outgoing and does not let his disease stop him, even when he’s around other kids who get to eat pizza and hamburgers, he’ll eat his chicken and go on like there’s nothing diff erent in his life than everyone else. He’s also a fi ghter–just 3 hours after his last surgery where a new gas-tric feeding tube (G-tube) was put in, he was walking down the hall because he didn’t want to be sitting in his hospital bed. Cindy reiterates, “He doesn’t want to be down. He wants to be able to do anything any other child can do. At school Michael is not pointed out or given special treatment.”

Grace, Michael’s younger sister is especially nurturing with him and educated on Esosinophilic Esophagitis, always willing to help when needed. When Michael has his surger-ies Grace likes to be by his side to make sure he’s okay. When not at school, Michael’s favorite activities are play-ing soccer and video games. Cindy says, “He’s just got an amazing willingness to want to do for others even though he has his own issues. Michael doesn’t know any diff erent and this is his normal.”

Case in point–Michael is in the process of fundraising for an upcoming surgery and medical bills, but has already asked his parents if he can set aside a portion of the money that is raised for him to donate to other kids that might need it as well. The entire Clendenin family is so grateful to the Bert’s Big Adventure experience, the memories that they will hold dear in their hearts for years to come. Michael is already dreaming of ways to add more adventure to his life.

THE CLENDENIN FAMILY

“THE FRIENDSHIPS

THAT WE FORMED

ON THIS TRIP

WERE LIFELONG.

-CINDY (MICHAEL’S MOM)

”


BY

DA

NA

HA

ZELS

SEI

TH

1010

michael...

magicmaker...Atlantic Southeast Airlines

1111

www.bertsbigadventure.org • 404.303.8312 ‘magical moments’ magazine • 2009

AROUND THE FIRST OF EACH YEAR, ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES’ (ASA) EMPLOYEES START ASKING, “WHEN’S THIS YEAR’S BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE (BBA) TRIP?” IT’S ABOUT THAT SAME TIME THAT ASA POSTS A STORY ON ITS INTRANET ASKING EMPLOYEES TO SUBMIT ESSAYS ABOUT WHY THEY SHOULD BE CHOSEN FOR THE COVETED CREW POSITIONS TO FLY THE ADVENTURERS AND THEIR FAMI-LIES TO “THE MOST MAGICAL PLACE ON EARTH.”

According to Kate Modolo, ASA’s director of Corporate Communications and Culture, ASA considers itself “ex-tremely fortunate” to be part of Bert’s Big Adventure. In 2003 ASA operated its fi rst BBA charter between Atlanta and Orlando. At that time, Delta was the airline sponsor for the event and hired Atlanta-based Delta Connection carrier ASA to operate the fl ight – its 70-seat aircraft were a “perfect fi t” for the number of adventurers. Since then, ASA has operated all but one of the BBA fl ights. In 2008, ASA became the offi cial airline sponsor of Bert’s Big Ad-venture and has been able to add its own brand of spec-tacular to the trip.

“People from every division on the ASA team come to-gether for this event to make it special for the families and our airline,” Modolo said. “We literally roll out the red carpet for the departure and arrival fl ights, make sure our hangar is packed with as many waving and cheering ASA people as we can and assign volunteers to each family to make sure they feel special on their way to the aircraft.”

Departing from ASA’s hangar on the Atlanta Harts-fi eld-Jackson International Airport property is a big change that came with ASA’s sponsorship. Once the families enter the hangar, ASA has a special security screening area set up to make it stress-free for the fami-lies to be cleared for fl ight. It’s at that point that the BBA families start their walk to the red carpet that leads to the aircraft. Streamers defi ne the walkway that is lined with hundreds of ASA volunteers.

At fi rst glance, operating the Bert’s Big Adventure fl ight looks eff ortless. According to Amy Moosbrugger, BBA Program Director, it’s anything but that.

“I start attending regular meetings each year at ASA during the fall before the adventure, so I really get some good insight into what it takes to pull this trip off ,” she said. “There are so many moving parts that ASA coordi-nates, and any request we have is welcomed with a ‘no problem!’”

In addition to providing the aircraft and crew, ASA also coordinates and sponsors security screenings in Atlanta and Orlando, ground crews at both locations, onboard charter coordinators for both fl ights, and special-request infl ight meals. “They even send our bags on a separate fl ight and get them to our rooms before we arrive,” said Moosbrugger.

“We try to make the return home as special as their de-parture,” Modolo said. “As soon as that plane comes into view, ASA people gather at the massive hangar doors and start waving the plane in. It’s really an amazing site and it’s easy for us to see that ASA gets as much out of Bert’s Big Adventure as the BBA families.”W

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1212

Headshot

The Amerson Family



THE AMERSON FAMILY

FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE ”

christian...

“BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE

WAS MORE THAN I

COULD’VE EVER IMAGINED

IT TO BE. CHRISTIAN

HAD SO MUCH FUN.

-CARRIE (CHRISTIAN’S MOM)

”


BY

KIR

ST

EN O

TT

PA

LLA

DIN

O

THE GARCIA FAMILY

nanaanaan.Thirteen cases of pneumonia in a span of two years severely damaged some of Christian Garcia’s bron-chial tubes, leading him to develop bronchiectasis. He had a kidney transplant in 2002. He’s now 8, and has asthma and moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. Christian’s mom, Carrie, says his childhood has so far consisted of “a lot of doctors visits and a lot of hospital stays. He’s terrifi ed of hospitals, he’s terrifi ed of the doctor’s offi ce.” Christian also re-ceives infusions every three weeks that last at least two hours to give him the antibodies that his body needs for an immune defi ciency discovered just be-fore the Bert’s Big Adventure trip.

Carrie’s devoted to Christian’s care around the clock, leaving no time for employment. “Money is really tight right now, but he needs me and so I’m here,” Carrie says. With understandable multiple health and fi nancial concerns, traveling hasn’t been a big part of Christian and Carrie’s life. “Christian never would’ve experienced Walt Disney World if it weren’t for Bert’s Big Adventure,” Carrie says. And experi-ence it he did. “It was more than I could’ve ever imagined it to be. Christian had so much fun.”

One of the many perks—intentional or not—of Bert’s Big Adventure is that it brings together children and adults who might not have normally met otherwise. The common thread of having special needs in your family is appreciated beyond explanation. Other people can sympathize with what BBA families go through with their needs and diffi -culties, but other BBA families empathize. And the kids de-velop a whole new meaning of the word cool. Carrie says, “We formed a pretty great bond with Michael Clendenin and his family. Christian and Michael were like two little peas in a pod. They were together all the time. And afterwards, we all really connected. We all talk. We all know what’s going on with the others’ children. We keep in touch and still get together and do things. We’ve all formed lasting bonds and friendships from this. Our support network has greatly increased. These people understand [what I’m go-ing through] probably more than I’ll ever realize.”

He made a friend in Q100’s co-host Melissa Carter, who also had a kidney transplant in 2002. “Melissa spent a day with us,” says Carrie. “I talked to her a good bit about her transplant. And Christian thought it was cool that she’d had a kidney transplant, too.

The entire team that comes together to create Bert’s Big Adventure demonstrated a host of talents to Carrie and Christian. She says, “The trip was full of no worries. It was a lot fun with nothing to worry about. If you had a question, they’d take care of it. The staff was willing, helpful and al-ways there. They don’t make words to describe what that trip meant to us.”

1414

When Amy Moosbrugger decided to go back to work after three years as a stay-at-home-mom, she knew

that it would have to be for a cause she believed in. As a long time listener of The Bert Show, she was familiar with Bert’s Big Adventure (BBA), and when word got out that the organization was looking for a new Program Director, Amy jumped at the opportunity to put her name in the ring. Nearly two years later, it is clear that her experience with BBA has had a tremendous impact on her life, and she has had a tremen-dous impact on dozens of families and children with life threatening illnesses.

BBA is currently planning its 8th trip to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families, and Amy is planning her second trip as the organization’s Program Director. “To say each of the families is deserving of such a trip is an under-statement. But to have the opportunity to share the experience with them is

truly a gift for me,” Amy shared.And it is that aspect of BBA, where

the staff actually accompanies the fami-lies through the theme park, that Amy thinks makes BBA diff erent from other organizations. “We encourage parents to allow us, as the staff , to worry about the details and schedules so they can enjoy every minute with their children.” For Amy, it is also a chance to see why Bert Weiss started this organization in the fi rst place. She recalls the story of Jonah, a little boy with a big dream – to meet Buzz Lightyear.

“After Jonah changed into his Buzz Lightyear costume (complete with blow up wings), we headed for Tomorrowland, home of the Buzz Lightyear ride. As we exited the ride we saw Buzz, himself, signing autographs. With eyes as big as the moon, Jonah waited patiently for his turn to meet his favorite Disney charac-ter. Then, the moment happened. Buzz spotted Jonah, snapped to attention, and saluted this small 6 year old Buzz as if he were leader of the galaxy. In true

Buzz Lightyear form, Jonah, with the big-gest smile on his face, came to attention and saluted him right back. Both [his mother] and I had tears streaming down our faces. It was his special moment - and I was able to be a part of that.”

Her job certainly allows her the chance to be part of many special, heartwarming moments like Jonah’s, but she also receives those heartbreak-ing phone calls or emails. “What always amazes me though is that with each obstacle these children face, they push through with unbelievable determination and will - greater than that which I have seen from any adult,” she says.

And maybe that is where Amy gains the strength and inspiration to keep do-ing the work she does, which is nothing short of extraordinary. Amy speaks of her job as though it is the most natural thing in the world, as though anyone would surely do the same. But for the families and children she works with, Amy Moosbrugger truly does nothing short of making dreams come true.

.

MOOSBRUGGERamy


PROGRAM DIRECTOR, BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE

1515

By Katie Jones

medical staff

BY MARY WELCH

BERT’S MEDICAL TEAM IS PREPARED FOR EVERY EMERGENCY....INCLUDING FUN!

Dr. Michelle Presley, Dr. Tom McQuail and Nurse Cathy Robinson all plan their year around the same week-end – the annual trip to Walt Disney World with Bert’s Big Adventure (BBA). They join selected children and

their families for a few days of fun, relaxation and friendship. And they wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Dr. Michelle, a pediatrician who works for Kennestone Hospital, has been on every trip since BBA’s inception in 2003. She recruited Dr. Tom, an orthopedic surgeon, also at Kennestone, and Nurse Cathy, from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Town Center.

“Friends of mine listen to Bert’s show. Bert was talking one morn-ing about doing this trip and they needed a doctor to accompany them,” she recalls. “My friends called me up and told me I had to do it. I remember meeting Bert and as he told me about his plan to take chronically and terminally ill children to Walt Disney World, I thought, sign me up!” Dr. Tom joined BBA the following year, and Nurse Cathy was on board by the third trip.

And they make an amazing team. The trio works together to pro-vide the children and families any and all needed medical assistance. Fortunately, their professional services have rarely been required.

“There have been some scraped knees, some colds. We’re there to make the parents feel better. Their lives are defi ned by going to doctors and hospitals. Since we’re there, the parents can relax knowing we can handle anything that may come up,” says Nurse Cathy. The key to having few – if any – medical concerns on the trip comes from the process of fully understanding the children and their medical situation and capabilities.

Each trip, the team develops friendships with the participat-ing families. “We’ve all become an extended family,” says Dr. Tom. “Every year these children touch your life, so we stay in contact with one another. We get so much more from the trip then we could ever give.”

Dr. Michelle states, “To see Walt Disney World through the eyes of these kids is amazing. They want to experience every-thing and they have so much fun. For one weekend they have no worries. Just to see their faces is the best thing in the world.”

For Nurse Cathy, the trip and the children help put life into perspective. “Being with these kids is a reality check,” says Nurse Cathy. “They’re amazing and I’m in awe of them. This is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

It seems as if Bert’s Big Adventure has its medical team fi rmly in place. “As long as there’s a Bert’s Big Adventure, I’ll be there,” says Dr. Michelle.

“

”

“Dr. Michelle” Presley & Drew

“Dr. Tom” McQuail & Ella

“Nurse Cathy” Robinson & Maddi

TO SEE WALT DISNEY WORLD THROUGH THE EYES OF THESE KIDS IS AMAZING-DR. MICHELLE

16



Headshot

The Amerson Family

WITH MADDI’S ILLNESS AND THE

FAMILY JUGGLING TO KEEP A BALANCE,

THE IDEA OF A TRIP TO WALT DISNEY

WORLD SOUNDED LIKE A DREAM.

-LARA (MADDI’S MOM) ”


“

1717


THE AMERSON FAMILY

“FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE

A “NORMAL” MOM.

I WAS ALLOWED TO

RELAX AND ENJOY

MY CHILDREN FOR

WHO THEY ARE.

-CHERIE BAXTER

”

Picture this: a fi ve-year-old little girl, bright eyed, her face glowing. Her Cinderella dress fi t perfectly and with a whole new head of hair, she proudly bares a dazzling jeweled tiara. Her name is Maddi Goss, and she is recovering from stage IV liver cancer.

Maddi was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma at two and half years old. The doctors gave her a twenty-fi ve percent chance of survival. Her parents, Lara and Glenn, agreed with her doctor that a full round of chemotherapy was her best chance at beating the cancer. “It all took place within a year,” said Lara, Maddi’s mother. “It was an emotionally diffi cult time for us all.”

One round of chemotherapy became four, and after a couple of months it became obvious that Maddi’s medical condition needed round-the-clock attention. After spending months in the hospital, Maddi received a liver transplant. Her family was nervous but hopeful. Showering this little life with prayer and encouragement, they awaited the results.

After the surgery, her blood work came back clear. There was no trace of cancer. “Even the doctors were surprised,” said Lara. With a twenty-fi ve percent chance of survival, it was an amazing victory. “We were so thankful,” tells Lara. “God doesn’t work in statistics.” There are moments in life diffi cult to describe on paper and for the Goss family this was one of them.

During their many months of hospital stays and doctors’ visits, Lara, become close friends with Maddi’s nurse, Cathy. She informed Lara about Bert’s Big Adventure and urged her to apply. “I was interested, but I wasn’t sure I would hear anything back,” she said. But with Maddi’s illness and the family juggling to keep a balance, the idea of a trip to Walt Disney World sounded like a dream.

The exciting news arrived with a phone call from Bert himself. “I still remember the day when my husband and I told the kids we were going on Bert’s Big Adventure to Walt Disney World,” Lara said, joy erupting in her voice. “Maddi was so happy. She couldn’t wait to see all her favorite Walt Disney characters.”

Thanks to the generosity of Bert’s organization and its supporters, Maddi and her family were able to discover the magic of Walt Disney World. The Goss’ were overwhelmed with the care and attention to detail in this dream vacation. “The amount of attention Bert’s team gives to the families, it’s truly genuine,” said Lara. “You are being loved by so many good people. It’s a sincere feeling of love, care and selfl essness.” Bert’s Big Adventure created many priceless moments for the Goss family. It was an experience to last a lifetime.

THE GOSS FAMILY

maddi...


BY

MO

LLY

BR

AN

CH

1818

My name is Matt Grayson and I am the Athletic / Ten-nis Director at the County Club of Roswell. The Country Club of Roswell has been holding a Tennis Charity Pro-am Invitational Tournament for the last 31 years. Each year we meet to determine which local charity we want our event to benefi t. As a listener of The Bert Show, I had heard

magicmaker...CountryClub ofRoswell

about the BBA trip and knew basically what it was about. On the morning of our ben-efi ciary meeting, The Bert Show had an interview with one of the kids who had been on a past trip. After hearing how this trip aff ected this child’s life I knew the charity I wanted to push forward that evening. We have been benefi ting BBA ever since (2006).

It is a perfect fi t for what our event needs. It is a local charity that is relatively small, and its focus is kids. Over the 31 years we have been running this event, these are the qualities that we have found help us raise the most money from our local area. As proof of this, we have been able to raise over $150,000 in the last four years for BBA. On top of the money we have been able raise, our club has taken an interest in helping BBA in as many ways as it can all throughout the year. We have hosted a reunion day at our pool for all of the kids who have ever been on the trip to Walt Disney World for the past two summers and several of our pro-am committee members have attended the Send-off Broadcast with the families going on the trip.

It has been a really satisfying experience to see our club and its members getting so much out of helping these families that have to deal with so much adversity. I look forward to continuing this relationship long into the future.

(l to r) Bert Weiss, Tiff any Grayson, Stacey Weiss & Matt Grayson

Photos this page: Cindy Powers

1919

By Mary Welch

Brendan Moises dreams of playing professional base-ball. He was so good that he received an athletic/aca-

demic scholarship to a boarding school in New Hampshire. But he gave it up be-cause he felt his mother and sister, Bria, needed him. Bria recently completed her 25th operation – with eight more to go.

“Bria was very sick and Brendan was making the honor roll, but he fi nished his fi rst year and came home,” says his mother Brenda Merrion. “It was his deci-sion. He came home for his sister. It’s hard for the brothers and sisters of sick kids. Sometimes they feel left out.”

Brendan says he doesn’t feel ne-glected but that he “works around this. I understand that Bria is sick.”

Word got back to Bert Weiss about Brendan’s sacrifi ce for his sister and he was touched. He wanted to do some-thing special for Brendan so he, along with The Bert Show’s executive produc-er, Jeff Dauler, arranged for Brendan to visit the Braves spring training camp. Re-ceiving the VIP treatment, Brendan sat in the dugout, watched a game and met the players. “Meeting Bobby Cox was the best. Oh, yeah and Chipper Jones. I never watched a game so close up,” he says.

BBA surprised Brendan again, on the last radio remote when a Braves player showed up to sign autographs. “My face just lit up. I loved the whole weekend at Walt Disney World but then to go to the Braves camp was unbelievable. It’s crazy.”

Brenda says that she’s “always wor-ried about him getting lost. He’s growing up and he’s important too. But some-times I just have to do so much for Bria. I fear that siblings of these kids lose something of themselves because of the other child who is sick. I want him to

have a full life. It’s not easy.”For Brenda, a single mom, going to

Orlando was just the boost the family needed. The Merrions had just moved to Atlanta but had no support system. “I was told about BBA from a nurse and I just sat down and wrote a letter. It’s been a real long road for us. Then one day I was just really down and low because of Bria’s medical issues. I was in the car coming home from the hospital after being told that Bria needed another operation. I was so having a bad day and I got a call from Bert. I didn’t know who he was but I just started crying when he said that we were going on the trip.”

Brenda agrees. “It was fabulous. Ev-eryone was so attentive. On the trip I felt like we found an adoptive family.”

From BBA, Brendan, who plays baseball for Henry County High School, had an ex-perience of a lifetime. Bria had a weekend that brings a smile to her face whenever she thinks about it and, for Brenda, well, she found something even bigger.

“I really believe that God has a way of comforting you; to remind you that you are not alone. My spirit was so down and Bert and BBA came to me in the nick of time.”

SIBLINGspotlightBBA GOES TO BAT FORBRENDAN MOISES

“

”

I LOVED THE WHOLE

WEEKEND AT WALT

DISNEY WORLD BUT

THEN TO GO TO THE

BRAVES CAMP WAS

UNBELIEVABLE.

-BRENDAN MOISES




Headshot

The Amerson Family



THE AMERSON FAMILY

FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE ”



Meet Kerrie Henneberg. Her story begins in 2003 when her son, Jonah, was born. He immediately showed signs of jaundice and was diagnosed as “failure to thrive.” After months of ambivalence from the doctors Jonah was fi nally diagnosed with Billiary Atresia. This is a progressive disease that aff ects the liver. Children diagnosed with Billiary Atresia eventually need a liver transplant. So for Jonah, it became a waiting game.

In September of 2008 Jonah’s health started to deterio-rate. Kerrie wondered if the time had come to put Jonah on the transplant list. As her anxiety escalated, Kerrie re-ceived a phone call from her dear friend explaining that she had written a letter nominating her and Jonah for Bert’s Big Adventure. Kerrie completed the application, then quickly forgot about the potential of actually being selected. On Christmas Eve she received an unexpected call from Bert’s Big Adventure confi rming she and Jonah had been selected for the trip. Kerrie was overwhelmed with emotion.

Being a fan of superheroes, Jonah was especially excit-ed about wearing his Buzz Lightyear costume while visiting the Magic Kingdom. He had heard from his classmates that there was a Buzz Lightyear ride complete with lasers and aliens. When he arrived at the attraction, Jonah puff ed out his chest and marched proudly onto the ride. Then, after saving the galaxy, this little Buzz got his chance to meet the Buzz Lightyear, “I’ll never forget that as long as I live.”

Since the trip Bert’s Big Adventure has hosted reunions, which has created a sense of community among the group, “Some of these people I never thought I would see again, but we just keep getting closer and closer. Bert’s Big Adventure does a great job keeping us connected.” Kerrie created an unexpected bond with the other single mothers that partici-pated, “I can call them up any day and have a breakdown and they would completely understand.”

The trip’s excitement aided in keeping Jonah healthy for a few months until April when he took a turn for the worse. It was time to put him on the transplant list. By June they had found a liver match and Jonah under went transplant surgery. His recovery process was rough, consisting of fi ve surgeries in six weeks and many hospital stays. The families from Bert’s Big Adventure were a constant support system while Jonah and Kerrie were in the hospital. Now, for the fi rst time, he is a healthy six-year-old boy, “It’s wonderful!”

Bert’s Big Adventure was not just a trip to Walt Disney World it was a “fresh beginning.” “BBA is not the scientifi c reason Jonah got a transplant, but it created positive energy.” Since Bert’s Big Adventure, Kerrie has remarried and now is preg-nant, “our life is so full of blessings now. I will always think of Bert’s Big Adventure as the starting point for all of this.”

THE HENNEBERG FAMILY

“BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE

DOES A GREAT JOB OF

KEEPING US CONNECTED.

-KERRIE (JONAH’S MOM)

”

jonah...


BY

CA

RO

LIN

E P

ETT

ERS

2222

“”

beyondthemagic...Bert’s Big Adventure is a year-round charitable organization. In addition to the trip to Walt Disney World, Bert’s Big Adventure also provides the selected children additional and essential services throughout the year that are necessary to the fulfi llment of its charitable purpose.

The magic doesn’t end after Disney. Bert’s Big Adventure strives to provide the selected families several opportuni-ties to reconnect throughout the year (and rolls out the red carpet while doing so!) Memorable Reunion Adventures and VIP experiences at various Atlanta area venues, have all been enjoyed by trip par-

ticipants, past and present. These events allow families to rekindle friendships from their trip, while meeting families from other adventures as well. The friendships made through Bert’s Big Adventure and Reunion Adventures allow each family to expand their network of support and remind them that they are not alone.

A BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE

FAMILY IS A BERT’S BIG

ADVENTURE FAMILY FOR LIFE!

Reunion Adventures; (main photo) The Georgia Aquarium

(inset) Country Club of Roswell Pool Party

Main photo: Suesan Phillips

2323

NOWTHEN

Marcella, now 13, has spent her life in a wheelchair as a result of having congenital muscular dystrophy. Her experience was so overwhelming that it changed her life and she devotes her time to helping promote Bert’s Big Adventure.She almost didn’t make the trip.

“To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t sure about it. I was nervous,” Marcella’s mother, Marina says. “I kept wondering why Bert, Stacey and all the volun-teers were doing this. I mean, most of the time when people get involved in a charity, they have a personal connec-tion to it. But Bert doesn’t. He is actually doing it out of the goodness of his heart. It’s amazing.”

When Marcella, her younger sister Isabelle, and Marina came back from the trip, they made a deal. “We de-cided that we would do whatever we could to help Bert. We made a pact as a family that we would give back. We can’t give money, but we can give time and service. Bert gives so much and is so supportive that we had to do the same for him. Marcella just tells every-one about Bert’s Big Adventure.”

Marcella was also named an ambas-sador for The Muscular Dystrophy Association. She recently appeared on television during the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. “She’s a ham,” her mother admits with a laugh.

Marcella, the Ham, has also been named “The Kid” spokesperson for Bert’s Big Adventure. Marcella enjoys meeting people and working with Bert on the radio and at personal appear-ances. “She wants to do all she can

and I have to remind her she has school and other things. She tries to do as much as she can for Muscular Dystro-phy but she’d do anything for Bert.”

Perhaps why the family decided to give back to Bert’s Big Adventure was the impact it had on them. Last year was the fi rst year Marcella did not spend a day in the hospital. “She’s used to being sick and in and out of hospitals,” Marina says. “And, then she was able to go on the trip. She honest-ly didn’t want to come home. She said she’d stay at Walt Disney World and we could pick her up next year. I think she loved being with a lot of kids.”

The trip was a godsend for Marina as well. “Well, I’m a single mom so I am always thinking, always planning, always watching for things. I went and, for the fi rst time in my life, I had other people doing the worrying and plan-ning for me. I have to take everything so seriously. But not only was I able to relax and enjoy myself but the three of us got to enjoy it together. We really needed to spend time just enjoying something together. We honestly hadn’t done that before.”

It’s for that reason why Marcella is an activist with a cause. “Whatever Bert needs, whatever Bert wants, whenever Bert calls, we’re there. It’s all so incredible.”

“SHE HONESTLY DIDN’T

WANT TO COME HOME.

SHE SAID SHE’D STAY

AT WALT DISNEY

WORLD AND WE

COULD PICK HER

UP NEXT YEAR.

-MARINA (MARCELLA’S MOM)

A GIRL WITH A CAUSE:

A BBA ALUMNA WANTS

TO GIVE BACK. BERT’S BIG

ADVENTURE CHANGED

MARCELLA GENUT.

SHE IS NOW AN ACTIVIST.

MARCELLA GENUT

”By Mary Welch


now:

then:

Top photo: Ben Rose Photography

2424



Headshot

The Amerson Family

Headshot



THE AMERSON FAMILY

“FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE

A “NORMAL” MOM.

I WAS ALLOWED TO

RELAX AND ENJOY

MY CHILDREN FOR

WHO THEY ARE.

-CHERIE BAXTER

”

On his trip with Bert’s Big Adventure 2009 to Walt Disney World, Drew Kruszynski made a new best friend—the one and only Mickey Mouse.

“The best moment from our trip would have to be when Drew met Mickey Mouse for the first time,” Candice Kruszynski, Drew’s mother, said. “Drew has loved Mickey from very early on. When Drew was first diagnosed, Mick-ey Mouse Clubhouse was his favorite show. We would watch it over and over again.”

Upon meeting Mr. Mouse, Drew told him he loved him and the joy the trip provided was evident.

“If I could have given him one gift this would have been it, and BBA provided that for us,” Candice said. “BBA made sure that Drew had his special moment no matter what. I am so thankful for that.”

Drew was diagnosed with Stage IV Neruoblastoma in August of 2006 when he was only 29 months old. Throughout the course of his treatment, Drew endured eight rounds of chemotherapy, total body radiation, two stem cell transplants and thirty rounds of focal radiation.

“We still are in this fight,” Candice said. “Drew still has an active disease that we are watching very closely. For-tunately now, our day to day life isn’t affected as much on the outside. But as a mother I think about it daily.”

Drew’s experience with Bert’s Big Adventure has made a profound difference in his journey with his illness, as well as the outlook of his family, however, and this can be credited partially to a very special doctor.

“One night, Drew fell out of bed and needed stitches,” Can-dice said. “Dr Michelle Presely was on duty that night. Drew just fell in love with her that night and she fell in love with him. Dr. Michelle encouraged us to apply for the BBA trip.”

Thanks to Dr. Michelle and Bert’s Big Adventure, the Kruszynski family was able to enjoy a relaxing trip filled with lots of rides and lots of laughs, as well as new friends, Kerrie, Kim, Devon and Jonah.

“It was a magical trip that has provided a lifetime of friendships and memories, Candice said. “It is the best organization in Atlanta.”

“I think back to how sick he was, how close I came to losing him several times, how everyday is special, how special he is for still being here. Drew knows he is special and a little different, but that week he was just one of the kids. And I will always be thankful for that.”

THE KRUSZYNSKI FAMILY

drew...

“IF I COULD HAVE

GIVEN HIM ONE

GIFT THIS WOULD

HAVE BEEN IT,

AND BBA

PROVIDED

THAT FOR US.

-CANDI (DREW’S MOM)

”


BY

BR

ITT

NEY

MC

KEN

NA

2626

As a long time listener of Q100’s The Bert Show, I was able to experience the impact Bert’s Big Adventure had on the many families

who took part every year through the morning radio show. I remember listen-ing to the stories of each child and family member and knew this was some-thing really special and wanted to get involved. When the opportunity came for the Sheraton Gateway to host the families the evening before they were to leave for Walt Disney World and the Send-Off Broadcast and Party, I jumped at it. It was a remarkable opportunity to interact with these very special families and “give a little back” even during these very challenging times.

Our many Sheraton associates are proud to be involved with a charitable

organization like Bert’s Big Adventure. Watching the participating families and staff made me realize how Bert’s Big Ad-venture’s values blend so naturally with Sheraton’s core values. We take great pride in the sense of belonging we pro-vide to our guests, we help others to feel connected with one another, and take an active role in our community. Bert’s Big Adventure is a special organization that certainly encompasses all of these in order to provide an amazing experience for wonderful and deserving families.

After the event was complete, we had many customers, friends and family members reach out to us to let us know how proud they were to be affi liated with the Sheraton Gateway because of our involvement with Bert’s Big Adventure. It was then we decided we could do more than just host the Send-Off in February,

but could continue to help Bert’s Big Adventure year round - and so can you! If you don’t want to get up extra early and fi ght Atlanta traffi c for those early morning fl ights, why not spend the night at the Sheraton Gateway before fl ying out of town? Or, think of the Sheraton when you have guests coming to visit. The Sheraton is here to help you!

Please go to the Bert’s Big Adventure website (www.BertsBigAdventure.org) and click on the Sheraton Gateway logo on the Partners page. You will fi nd the best hotel rates loaded here exclusively for friends of Bert’s Big Adventure. You save money PLUS a portion of every room rate will go to Bert’s Big Adventure. We hope to see you at the Sheraton Gateway soon, and look forward to hosting Bert’s Big Adventure Send-Off again in 2010.

magicmaker...BY JARED TRAVIS: DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

Sheraton Gateway Atlanta Airport


(l to r) Bert Weiss, Jared Travis & Stacey Weiss

2727

Parent’sperspective


My husband, Mike, and I were just as excited as our kids, Akaya (5) and Arnieas (12)

about our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. Ok, I lied! I was more excited than anyone! Since we received the call from Bert saying we had been chosen for Bert’s Big Adventure, I could not sleep. By the time we needed to leave, I was exhausted, but running on adrenaline.

When preparing for the trip I did have concerns though. I had to do one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do – allow someone else to care for me and my fam-ily. Now, of course, I was told numer-ous times by the Bert’s Big Adventure staff that we would be taken care of, but I needed to know to what degree. So, my phone calls began about two days after orientation – and I don’t believe they stopped until the trip. I needed to know… How much money do we need? Should I bring snacks? Will there be a fridge in our room? And so much more. But each time I called my questions were answered and I was assured we would be taken care of, “… we will provide every-thing you need.”

Well, having a family that includes a child with special needs is tough. It was not comprehensible to me to cast these responsibilities on to someone else. Not only that, but would they cross every “t” and dot every “i” for my family, and every family on the trip? How could they possibly do that? Well, they did, from start to fi nish!

We arrived at the Send-Off Broad-cast and Party in the wee hours of the morning. It was a real party! There was a breakfast buffet, make-up artists, hair stylists, activities for the kids, our radio interview on Q100, and unexpected television news interviews as well. It was amazing. We then left for the fl ight and arrived at the ASA hangar to a red carpet send-off. I became emotional, realizing

this was even more special than I could have imagined. Upon entering the plane, the fl ight crew knew us by name – they were very attentive and awesome.

Once we arrived at the Yacht Club Hotel at Walt Disney World we were hoping to see some characters, and did we ever! We were joined at dinner by Goofy and Donald Duck, then it was off to Hollywood Stu-dios to see “Fantasmic.” It was a great way to begin our trip. And tomorrow, Magic Kingdom!

We needed to be up early, and I was still running on adrenaline. We enjoyed breakfast at Tony’s Town Square, and the surprise guest that joined us was none other than Mickey Mouse. The rest of our day was unexplainable – rides, shows and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Akaya became Princess Akaya! And who would have guessed that at the end of our day Belle and Cinderella would be reading the children bedtime stories, complete with milk and cookies. The rest of the weekend was much the same. From a private group dinner in the Coral Reef Restaurant, to a dessert buffet overlook-ing the water and fi reworks show in EPCOT. I was speechless. With tears in my eyes I watched these fi reworks in awe. It was then that it hit me. We were blessed to be able to take part in Bert’s Big Adventure.

Thank you to Bert’s Big Adven-ture, the sponsors and Bert Show fans for this unforgettable trip!

THE ROBINSONS GO TO WALT DISNEY WORLD!By Tonjali Robinson

“… WE WILL PROVIDE

EVERYTHING YOU

NEED.

”

2828



Headshot

The Amerson Family

“EACH DAY BROUGHT DIFFERENT

MEMORIES, BUT I HAVE TO SAY

WATCHING MY KIDS’ FACES AS

THEY SAW CINDERELLA’S CASTLE

FOR THE FIRST TIME AND SAYING,

‘WE ARE AT DISNEY WORLD!’

-KATHY (MATTY’S MOM)

”



THE AMERSON FAMILY

“FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE

A “NORMAL” MOM.

I WAS ALLOWED TO

RELAX AND ENJOY

MY CHILDREN FOR

WHO THEY ARE.

-CHERIE BAXTER

”

Matty Melton was on a mission of global propor-tions—collect all of the Mickey-shaped pins from each country available in Walt Disney World. And, thanks to Amy Moosbrugger, he was able to meet his goal.

“We found all but one!,” Kathy Melton, Matty’s mother, said excitedly. “Amy called me the other day to let me know they had found the last one and would be sending it out! I haven’t told Matty yet, but I think he will be so excited.”

Matty, 8, was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma in Feb-ruary of 2007. Following six weeks of radiation and four-teen long months of chemotherapy, Matty and his family thought he was fi nally free of sickness and pain.

Then this past July doctors had sobering news—Matty had new tumors on his spine.

“He is currently undergoing chemotherapy at Chil-dren’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite,” Kathy said. “It has completely turned our world upside down, everything has changed. You always have that hope that everything will be just fine, but in reality Matty has a 50% chance of survival.”

Kathy cites involvement with Bert’s Big Adventure as a bright spot in their struggle, however. Her sister actually encouraged the family to participate, for which Kathy is very grateful.

“During Matty’s fi rst treatment my sister, a huge Bert Show fan, would listen to stories about the other families who went on the trip and would cry every morning on the way to work,” she said. “She called me one day and said she had some papers to fi ll out, which I did. I did not read it very closely so I was very surprised when Bert called us to tell us our family was being considered for Bert’s Big Adventure 2009.”

Upon fi nding out they would be going on Bert’s Big Ad-venture, Kathy, husband Matt, Matty, and daughter Kay-lee, 6, packed their bags and got ready to see the magical world of Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney.

“Each day brought diff erent memories, but I have to say watching my kids’ faces as they saw Cinderella’s castle for the fi rst time and saying, ‘We are at Disney World!’ to each other was my favorite,” Kathy said.

“The biggest thing I feel we gained from this trip is that we are not alone,” she added. “Many other families are going through something just as diffi cult as us. We as a family really try to make the best of each day and cherish each moment we have together.”

THE MELTON FAMILY

matty...


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thankyou...


The Atlanta Braves

World Football Challenge

Parties2Go

Salon 123 & The Ice Box

Top photo: Richie Arpino

3232



Headshot

The Amerson Family


“I DIDN’T HAVE TO WORRY.

AND I’M NOT USED TO THAT.

-BRENDA (BRIA’S MOM)

”3333


THE AMERSON FAMILY

bria...“FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE

A “NORMAL” MOM.

I WAS ALLOWED TO

RELAX AND ENJOY

MY CHILDREN FOR

WHO THEY ARE.

-CHERIE BAXTER

”

For Bria Merrion, her brother Brendan, 16, and mom Brenda, life has revolved around doctor and hospital visits to help Bria. In her 11 years of life, she’s had more than 25 surgeries, and there are more to come. “I call her my little Humpty Dumpty,” says her mom Brenda. “They’re literally reconstructing my daugh-ter.” Born with Vater Syndrome, a rare association of birth defects, Bria has multiple abnormalities within her body, from lung and stomach problems to a heart condition. It’s easy to imagine how traveling would be diffi cult for her and her family. “We have to have a lot of medical supplies in addition to the equipment,” says Brenda.

There’s a lot that comes into play for a family consider-ing a vacation—especially one with a special-needs child. When all their cash fl ow is being funneled into Bria’s medi-cal needs, vacations are but a distant dream for the Mer-rions. “It’s a fi nancial hardship,” says Brenda, who also has a healthy child, Brendan, 16. “A vacation just really was something far-fetched. So to prepare for Bert’s Big Adven-ture, I actually thought we would be a burden.”

Bert guaranteed Brenda from the start that there was nothing to worry about. No special needs were too much for BBA to handle. Every care and concern would be taken care of. She says she let herself be reassured, but her re-lief grew deeper when her family arrived in Orlando. “People from Bert’s Big Adventure were all assigned to a diff erent family, and we were fortunate enough to have Bert. We had an absolutely wonderful day with him. It really was fabu-lous.” All of Bria’s equipment was delivered to the hotel be-fore they arrived—oxygen tank, concentrator and other medical supplies. “Everything was there when we arrived,” says Brenda. “I didn’t have to look. I didn’t have to worry. And I’m not used to that.”

The Merrions fully enjoyed their visit to the Magic King-dom. “I went on the teacup rides,” says Bria, with a giggle. “I got really dizzy. It was fun.” The park is full of surprises, and you never know who you might run into. Brendan says, “We were at dinner, and Mickey, Donald, everyone came out, and we got our pictures with them and got their au-tographs.” Bert had built a bond with Brendan over their shared love of baseball and surprised him with a separate trip to the Atlanta Braves training camp in Orlando. “I got to meet all the players and Bobby Cox,” says Brendan. “It was crazy.” The BBA team even arranged for Braves player Jair Jurrjens to come to the send-off when the group was headed back to Atlanta.

The Merrion family has remained close with others from the trip including Bert. “They have phenominal people working with phenominal kids,” says Brenda. “Thats what BBA is all about.”

THE MERRION FAMILY

BY

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momd m

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“YOU’RE REALLY

JUST SO GREAT-

FUL TO HAVE YOUR

FAMILY AND YOUR

HEALTH...AND YOU

LEARN TO TAKE

PEOPLE FOR WHO

THEY ARE AND LOVE

UNCONDITIONALLY

-WENDY ADAMS

First YearWENDY ADAMS

This year’s Bert’s Big Adven-ture trip was the seventh for Bert Weiss and his BBA team, but for Wendy Adams, Q100’s traffi c girl and The

Bert Show’s newest member, it was an entirely new experience.

“I don’t know if I went into it with any expectations,” Wendy says, “but [in-stead] pretty much excitement.” A self proclaimed kid lover, Wendy jumped at the chance to be a part of the 2009 trip and tackled her responsibilities with zeal, down to laminating the detailed sched-ule she made for the families of her two kids, Ashlyn, a rambunctious 5-year-old born with a heart deformity, and Raven, 10, who is battling a type of bone cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma.

From the fi rst day, Wendy was struck with the tangible sense of excitement – and camaraderie – between the kids and families alike. “I didn’t expect [the kids] to all get along, but I think they all got along so well with each other because

they weren’t judged,” she recalls. “They were all there for the same reasons.”

While the reasons bringing the BBA families together may be grim, the BBA experience is one that focuses on the positive rather than the negative, the blessings instead of the hardships. And, most of all, the fun.

For four days, Wendy and her new BBA BFFs took over Walt Disney World, running from the Mad Tea Party’s spin-ning teacups to Cinderella’s castle to “It’s A Small World” and reveling in every moment.

It’s a requirement for BBA that chil-dren who are selected for the trip have never been to Walt Disney World, so part of the fun for Wendy was seeing the theme park through a child’s eyes for the fi rst time, especially the ever-excited Ashlyn, who pretty much screamed nonstop from takeoff to landing.

The most memorable moment, however, came during a trip to Cinderella’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where the girls were treated to a pampering session fi t for

a princess. After a fresh coat of nail polish, a beautifi ed face and an elegant hair styling, the girls were crowned as their favorite princess. In perfect Cinderella fashion, the girls were asked to make a wish as they were crowned.

When it was her turn, 5-year-old Ash-lyn looked at the mirror and simply whis-pered, “This is the best day of my life.”

“I just lost it,” remembers Wendy, “and all the families just lost it. It was a very emotional moment.”

Wendy’s stories about her experience all have a common theme: family. She marvels at each BBA family’s strength and resiliency and notes that “they’re not your family, but for the weekend, they are.”

A look at Bert’s Big Adventure through a fi rst-timer’s eyes brings cer-tain things into focus: love, joy, and fam-ily. “I think you really get a perspective on your own life and family,” she says. “You’re really just so grateful to have your family and health, and … you learn to take people for who they are and love unconditionally.”

BY ANNA BENTLEY

Staff Perspective...............”



LIMO RIDES 120FINGER NAILS PAINTED AT THE BIBBIDI BOBBIDI BOUTIUE

pictures taken

FEBRUARY 18-22Bert’s Big Adventure

the magic continues...

2 many 2 Count:the number of smiles throughout the 5 day adventure to Walt Disney World!

DELUXE HOTEL ROOMS

fi rst time fl iers

by the numbers...the number of times Bert rode a roller coaster

3636

Headshot“THE FAMILY, AS A

WHOLE, MADE MANY

NEW FRIENDS AND IT

WAS SO ENCOURAG-

ING TO MEET AND

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

WITH OTHER FAMILIES

WHO WERE WALKING

THROUGH SIMILAR

STRUGGLES.

-VALERIA (MYA’S MOM)

”

3737


THE AMERSON FAMILY

“FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE

A “NORMAL” MOM.

I WAS ALLOWED TO

RELAX AND ENJOY

MY CHILDREN FOR

WHO THEY ARE.

-CHERIE BAXTER

”

“Look Mommy, I’m so beautiful,” said little brown-eyed Mya Millington. Her refl ection in the mirror re-vealed a precious eight-year-old girl, with chestnut brown hair and a glowing smile. Turning around in the salon chair at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Walt Disney World, Mya found herself transformed into a picturesque Cinderella, her favorite Disney charac-ter. “It was a moving experience,” said her mother Valeria, reminiscing of her favorite memory with Mya while on Bert’s Big Adventure to Walt Disney World.

Valeria is an avid listener of The Bert Show. After hear-ing Bert mention the nonprofi t organization, Bert’s Big Adventure, and learning of the positive impact on the families that participated, Valeria decided to fi ll out the paperwork and send in an application. “ I remember writing about Mya, and of our experiences as a family, but never expecting to hear anything back,” said Valeria.

Mya has Prune Belly Syndrome. Born with the loss of stomach muscles and no kidneys, a typical childhood proved to be a great challenge for Mya. Spunky and out-going in nature she never allowed her condition to keep her from fully experiencing life. Her family is her anchor and together they have made it through the rough seas on her journey.

The opportunity to go to Walt Disney World was a dream the Millington’s had thought nearly impossible because of Mya’s condition and her need for continual medical care. Bert’s Big Adventure was about to make that dream be-come a reality. The surprise that awaited them was one that would prove to be unforgettable.

“When Bert personally called to tell us we had been one of the chosen families to go to Walt Disney World, I couldn’t believe it,” Valeria said. It was a whirlwind from the word “go”.

“Memorable” and “Stress-free”, were the words the Mil-lington’s chose when asked to summarize their Disney ex-perience with Bert’s Big Adventure. From the accommoda-tions, any medical concerns, right down to the last detail, the nonprofi t organization had taken care of everything.

“There were so many wonderful people we met while on our trip,” described Valeria. “The family, as a whole, made many new friends and it was so encouraging to meet and build relationships with other families who were walking through similar struggles.”

Being apart of Bert’s Big Adventure was an experience of a lifetime for the Millington family. “It was a trip we will never forget”.

THE MILLINGTON FAMILY

mya...


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we remember...

we remember...


“

“

THE ONE THING

THAT I’LL NEVER

FORGET ABOUT

BOBBY WAS HIS

SMILE. MAN, ALL

THAT KID DID WAS

SMILE. IT WAS SO

CONTAGIOUS. HE’D

LIGHT UP THE ROOM

WHEN HE WAS IN IT.

- BERT WEISS

EVEN DURING DES-

TANY’S SICKEST DAYS

SHE ALWAYS HAD A

SMILE ON HER FACE

WHEN I WOULD GO TO

SEE HER. DESTANY

TAUGHT ME A LOT

ABOUT FAITH AND

COURAGE. KIDS CAN

TEACH YOU SO MUCH

IF YOU LISTEN!

- NURSE CATHY

”

”

Bobby Forrey

Destany Price

1992 - 2005Bert’s Big Adventure 2004


All photos this spread: Ben Rose Photography

3939

we remember...

we remember...


“

“

AFTER JAMES PASSED

AWAY I HAPPENED TO

MEET A FRIEND OF

HIS. HE TOLD ME THAT

WHEN HE WAS NEW TO

SCHOOL AND HAVING

A HARD TIME ADJUST-

ING, JAMES WAS THE

FIRST TO STEP UP AND

BE HIS FRIEND.

- DR. MICHELLE

I WILL NEVER FORGET

SITTING NEXT TO THE

POOL WITH CHRIS-

TOPHER’S MOM AND

GRANDMOTHER AS

BERT WHEELED HIM

INTO THE SWIMMING

POOL FOR THE VERY

FIRST TIME. THE LOOK

ON HIS FACE WAS

PRICELESS.

- JENN HOBBY

”

”

James Bell

Christopher Adkinson



4040



Headshot

The Amerson Family

“EVER SINCE WE

RETURNED, HE HAS

MORE MOTIVATION,

DETERMINATION

AND DRIVE.

-KIMBERLY (DEVON’S MOM)

”



THE AMERSON FAMILY

“FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE

A “NORMAL” MOM.

I WAS ALLOWED TO

RELAX AND ENJOY

MY CHILDREN FOR

WHO THEY ARE.

-CHERIE BAXTER

”

Born with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, Devon Nigro is no stranger to the hospital, surgeries and medical care. He’s in constant physical therapy and doesn’t walk on his own. He doesn’t speak and attends speech therapy. Devon is also involved in hippotherapy, which can improve balance, posture, mobility and function of a patient with the study of the horse’s movement. He’s a strong 7-year-old, though. “Typi-cally, he uses a walker to move around,” says his mom Kimberly. “But ever since we got back from Bert’s Big Adventure, he has been Mr. Independent. That trip made such an impact on him. Ever since we returned, he has more motivation, determination and drive.”

A vacation for Devon and Kimberly hasn’t been feasible. So being nominated for the trip was a true gift! Kimberly and Devon were in awe throughout the entire BBA expe-rience. First, with the amount of stuff they had to bring. Kimberly laughs about how she told the BBA team, “Look, I don’t think y’all understand how much we have.” But there’s nothing BBA can’t handle, and with ease, all of Devon’s spe-cial supplies were off to Walt Disney World—and so were they. “It was amazing,” Kimberly says. “All their help gave me, as a parent, extra time with Devon. If I said, ‘But this has got to be put up,’ or ‘This needs to be done,’ they’d say, ‘We got it.’ And they’d take care of it. The whole team really came together, and it was amazing.”

Devon’s a major racecar fan. He tore up the racetrack with Jenn Hobby, but he also fell hard for a blonde princess at the park. “He still talks about Cinderella,” says Kimberly. “He loved story time with her.”

The trip didn’t end when they returned home either. Devon became friends with some of the other BBA kids, and now they go on day outings with each other. “We do birthday parties and try to go see them when possible. It’s like having a whole new family.” Connecting with other parents with special-needs children has meant a lot to Kimberly. “It’s so nice to be able to call someone who will understand.”

Bert and Stacey Weiss, along with their entire team, moved Kimberly. “They have such big hearts. There wasn’t a second that they got frustrated. They always had smile on their face. But it’s also that this trip continues to give, and that’s so amazing. They keep the groups going. They organize other get-togethers for us. They keep us talking. It was defi nitely a life-changing trip.”

THE NIGRO FAMILY

devon...


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Bert’s Big Adventure would not be possible without the support of the Atlanta commu-nity. Donations and fi nancial

support by various organizations and individuals are essential in continuing not just the Bert’s Big Adventure Walt Disney World trip, but the many addi-tional ways the organization assists the selected children and their families.

Nominate a Bert’s Big Adventure ChildChildren may be nominated for the Bert’s Big Adventure trip via a confi den-tial application. Bert’s Big Adventure serves children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old, who live in The Bert Show radio listening area (All the Hits Q100, 99.7 FM) in metro Atlanta, prove fi nancial need and have never been to Walt Disney World. Applications are available on the organizations website, www.BertsBigAdventure.org.

Make a Donation to Bert’s Big AdventureContributions can be either monetary or through fulfi llments of the Bert’s Big Adventure “Wish List.” Information on both can be found at www.BertsBigAdventure.org.

Become a SponsorBert’s Big Adventure has multiple spon-sorship and marketing opportunities available. Organizations wishing to participate should contact Bert’s Big Adventure at 404-303-8312 or email [email protected].

“

”

BERT’S BIG ADVEN-

TURE SPONSORS

ARE MORE THAN

JUST SPONSORS,

THEY’RE PARTNERS.

-STACEY WEISS

(this photo) Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta (below) Atlantic Southeast Airlines

4343

NOWChris Frew says he learned the impor-tance of giving back and stepping up to help others from his mother and his 10 years of military service. Thanks to him, each year BBA’s children will have engraved iPods.

Chris Frew and his sons, Tim and David, certainly have had their ups and downs. But throughout it all, they have kept their spirits up. Tim has cerebral palsy/development delay, and sev-eral years ago his mother, who was divorced from Chris, was diagnosed with cancer. Chris, who was engaged at the time, applied to Bert’s Big Ad-venture but was turned down because he didn’t qualify. “I was too well off fi nancially at the time,” he says. Chris and his fi ancé married and then divorced. “She couldn’t take all the stress and being a step mom to a special needs child,” he says. “And then their mother passed and it was just me and the boys. It was good but then things starting going bad for me fi nancially.” Chris, a fan of The Bert Show, says his friends encouraged him to apply. He did and Tim was accepted. ”It was bad that I wasn’t doing well fi nancially but it made us eligible for the trip, so that was good.” Tim, then 11, now 15, went on the 2006 trip and loved it. So did the whole family, including his brother David, who was nine. “One of the things that makes BBA so wonderful is that it is not just the disabled child who is treated special, it is the entire family,” he says. “For that weekend nothing in the park is beyond reach, no toy is too expensive, and no restaurant is out of bounds. And that feeling is something that continues on after you return home.”

Chris later married and his fi nancial situation went on the upswing. “My new wife and I both work and we’re starting a tea business and I wanted to give back.” That Christmas he gave both boys iPods. “They both loved it and I asked Stacey if she thought the kids would like it.” Chris ordered red iPods for all the children. The problem was that one child was deaf. “He was deaf and in a wheelchair and I remembered how bright the sun was in Florida. Through the military I’m able to get Oakley sunglasses at a discount, so I bought him a pair.” This year Chris has ordered, “cool colors” for the iPods and each one will be engraved with BBA. His employer, PPG Aerospace, is fi nancially matching his gift. In addition, the company has asked for information on BBA so they could consider making contributions. “I try to spread the word everywhere about Bert and BBA,” he says. “When I was down, others, like Bert, stepped up to help me and my sons. Now that we’re back up, we have to help others. There isn’t anything I won’t do for BBA.” Chris, however, says there are many lessons to be learned from BBA. “It is something that can inspire the fami-lies and children to work hard for their goals because anything is possible,” he says. Adding, “That needs to be supported, nourished, and passed on to others.”

”

ONE OF THE THINGS

THAT MAKES BBA SO

WONDERFUL IS THAT IT

IS NOT JUST THE DIS-

ABLED CHILD WHO IS

TREATED SPECIAL, IT IS

THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

– CHRIS FREW

LISTEN UP:

STEP UP TO THE

PLATE AND

HELP OTHERS

THEN “


THE FREW FAMILY

By Mary Welch

now:

then:


4444

Headshot

The Amerson Family

Headshot

“WHEN ASHLYN

GOT TO MEET

CINDERELLA,

THAT WAS WORTH

THE WHOLE TRIP.

-LAKESHA (ASHLYN’S MOM)

”



“FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE

A “NORMAL” MOM.

I WAS ALLOWED TO

RELAX AND ENJOY

MY CHILDREN FOR

WHO THEY ARE.

-CHERIE BAXTER

”

Ashlyn Nuckols was only 12-hours-old when she was diagnosed with Truncus Arteriosus, a condition that occurs when the two large arteries carrying blood away from the heart don’t form properly and one large artery is present instead. As her mother, LaKe-sha puts it: “The simple version is her heart cannot work overtime; it needs a steady pace.” At three days old, Ashlyn had her fi rst surgery.

But the outgoing fi ve-year-old from Locust Grove hasn’t let her condition slow her down in the slightest. “She is just a ball of energy all the time,” says her mom. “No matter what she goes through, she always has a smile on her face.”

And one thing that made that smile even wider was Bert’s Big Adventure. LaKesha Nuckols fi rst heard about the life-changing trip while listening to Q100. Thinking her daughter might qualify, Nuckols remembers telling herself, “What’s the worst thing that could happen—that they say no. I thought it was worth it.”

But Bert’s Big Adventure didn’t say no. And Ashlyn began what would be one of the most exciting journeys of her life.

“The fi rst thing I remember is the orientation, and we were blown away,” says Ashlyn’s dad, Jon. “Bert and all the staff go all out for the kids and [their] families.”

As for Ashlyn, her favorite experience that day was meeting Bert Weiss himself. “She was instantly connected to him,” says LaKesha. “She constantly asked where he was and what he was doing.”

But meeting Bert was only the beginning. On the trip to Walt Disney World, Ashlyn met an even more magical new friend: Cinderella.

“When Ashlyn got to meet Cinderella, that was worth the whole trip,” says her mother.

Ashlyn couldn’t agree more. When asked what her favor-ite part about Bert’s Big Adventure was, she gushed, “having breakfast with the characters and getting to sing and dance with them and giving [Cinderella] loves and kisses.”

Meeting Cinderella was only part of her princess-for-a-day experience. Ashlyn had the opportunity to become the beloved Disney heroine thanks to a magical makeover…and a little help from Walt Disney World.

The Nuckols family brought back lifelong memories from their BBA journey, but they also returned with something more tangible: A new group of friends who can share in their joys and sorrows and who off er constant support and understanding.

“I met whole bunches of friends and I get to see them whenever Bert has us get together,” says Ashlyn.

“Not only was it the trip of a lifetime [where we got to see] our daughter in that setting having the time of her life” says LaKesha, “but we met some wonderful friends that we would have never met if not for Bert’s Big Adventure.”

THE NUCKOLS FAMILY

ashlyn...


BY

ALI

SO

N A

BB

EY

........

4646


SPEEDWAY CHILDREN’S CHARITIES - ATLANTA CHAPTERBy Shaun Birindelli Executive Director

Speedway Children’s Charities is excited to be associated with Bert’s Big Adventure and to participate in their amaz-

ing journey. The goal of Speedway Children’s Charities is to care for children in educational, fi nancial, social or medical need. What BBA does each year to give the children, as well as their families, relief from the day to day stress of dealing with their special medical needs is amazing.

For the past two years we have been fortunate enough to attend the Send-Off Broadcast for these families and what an incredible event that is. To see on the faces of the children the excitement and joy this trip brings is an unbelievable gift. I am not sure what brings tears to your eyes more, the look the children have or the absolute appreciation you see on the faces of their parents. Either way, Bert’s Big Adventure does an incredible job of providing a reprieve from the daily grind of dealing with childhood illness and providing them with an opportunity to just be a kid.

Last year Speedway Children’s Charities and Bert’s Big Adventure hosted a Bert’s Big Adventure Holiday Reunion Party at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Families from past trips were treated to a day of fun activities culminating with pace car rides around one of the fastest tracks in NASCAR.

We at Speedway Children’s Charities look forward to more opportunities to assist Bert’s Big Adventure and the many families that benefi t from this amazing program.

JC PENNEY STORESBy Michelle Austin, Assistant Manager, Store #2872

When James Cash Penney opened his fi rst store in 1902 he had one Golden Rule- “Do unto others as you would

have done unto you”. At JC Penney our associates are proud of working for a company that is based on such a rule.

Bert’s Big Adventure is defi nitely a great cause that JC Penney was very proud to stand behind. Our 16 JC Penney stores in Atlanta gathered contributions from our associ-ates to enable enough funds to create gift packs for each child that would make the trip. Our stores held bake sales, jean days and other fundraising events to make this possible. These gift packs included pajamas and a Disney themed outfi t for each child, as well as Leapster Learning Systems for the smaller travelers. A Disney character watch was given to every child as an extra special souvenir. Also included were beach towels, sunscreen, blankets, Disney movies and a stuff ed Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse for every child, along with other fun interactive items for them to enjoy.

At JC Penney our philosophy is not only winning together as a team but also giving together as a team to our communi-ties. Our 16 Atlanta area stores are made up of over 2,000 associates that are all very proud that we were able to give together to help make great memories for the special children and families of Bert’s Big Adventure.

magicmakers...magicmakers...

Santa & Candace at Holiday Reunion Adventure at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Michael Hall, Manager & Michelle Austin, Assistant Manager; JC Penney

4747

NOWFor most 11-year-old girls, life is about friendship bracelets, sleepovers, Lip Smackers and fi rst crushes. For Courtney Hickman, life is about hospitals, feeding tubes and lung infections—or at least that’s how life used to look for Courtney, who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at age 2 and has spent the majority of her life in the hospital. “Courtney has always been just like everyone else her age, except that she’s always been held back by her illness,” says Holly Hickman, Courtney’s mother.

But in 2006 when Courtney’s family went on Bert’s Big Adventure, Court-ney was fi nally able to feel like every-one else. “It was amazing,” says Holly. “They treat you like royalty and every kid was diff erent so nobody stands out or feels left out.”

The Hickman’s loved that BBA took care of everything, leaving their family only to worry about having fun. Their family made so many great memories and friends, some of whom they have kept in contact with over the years. “Nurse Cathy writes her constantly and comes to the hospital, and even Bert and Stacey come to visit pretty often, too,” Holly says.

Originally from Bufurd, Ga., Courtney, Holly and her baby sister temporarily relocated to St. Louis in June of this year with the hopes that Courtney could get a lung transplant. After two months of separation from her stepfa-ther and her 8-year-old brother, Court-ney fi nally found a donor and received her lung transplant in August.

She has since made an incredible comeback. “Everything about her

whole life has changed,” says Holly. Courtney’s lung function alone has increased from 24 per-cent to 70 percent, which allows her to do so much more. Holly beams as she describes how straight Courtney can stand up now and how much farther she can walk. “She had so much trouble breathing that she was always hunched over and she used to get exhaust-ed after walking just 10-15 feet,” Holly says.

But not anymore. Since the transplant, both Courtney’s physi-cal wellness and her mental health have drastically improved. “She thinks about the future now,” says Holly. “She never did that before. She’s really happy; she sings, she dances.”

With three more months left to go in St. Louis, the Hick-man’s are in the best of spirits, consumed with joy in the revival of their daughter’s life. It won’t be long before Courtney is applying Lip Smack-ers on the way to a sleepover.

SHE HAD SO MUCH

TROUBLE BREATH-

ING THAT SHE WAS

HUNCHED OVER AND

SHE USED TO GET

EXHAUSTED AFTER

WALKING JUST

10-15 FEET.

THENCOURTNEY HICKMAN

now:

then:By Kate Parham


48



Headshot

The Amerson Family

“WE REALLY, REALLY LOVED THAT WE

HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE

THIS WITH BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE,

WE’RE SO VERY GRATEFUL.

-TONJALI (AKAYA’S MOM) ”www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue4949


THE AMERSON FAMILY

“FOR FOUR SHORT

DAYS, I WAS GIVEN

PERMISSION TO BE

A “NORMAL” MOM.

I WAS ALLOWED TO

RELAX AND ENJOY

MY CHILDREN FOR

WHO THEY ARE.

-CHERIE BAXTER

”

Spirited and determined Akaya Robinson of Smyrna is six years old, but she has already endured enough challenges to match those many times her age.Born with Down Syndrome and two heart defects, Akaya was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in 2004, when she was only 16 months old. This form of Leukemia—incredibly rare in chil-dren—is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, which causes infection-fi ghting blood cells to form abnormally. Nine months of chemotherapy resulted in doctor’s visits every three days, but Akaya is en-ergetic and cancer-free today.

Experiencing a vacation with Bert’s Big Adventure helped Akaya and her family relax, enjoy each other, and connect with other families in the same situation. Akaya also made many friends on the trip, although the ones she remembers best are of the Disney variety.

“Akaya’s favorite part of the trip was seeing Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy, and Goofy,” Tonjali laughs over the phone as Akaya emotes wildly in the background, still clearly thrilled about the experience. “You can hear her – the feistiness is continuous!”

Bert’s Big Adventure was an opportunity for the Robinsons to enjoy a great vacation, but the trip also helped the hard-working and ever-positive Tonjali let go of some of her worries—a challenge she remembers as her biggest of the vacation.

“I had lots of doubts going on the trip,” Tonjali explains. “I am a mom. I’m always concerned, but I was so wrong. It was a lot for me to feel like I could depend on someone else to take care of my family, but we had everything we needed. The hardest part was letting go.”

Bert’s Big Adventure was a saving grace for the Robin-son family, which had been struggling to overcome each health hurdle since 2003. Akaya’s brother Arnieas, who she cites as one of her heroes, also joined Akaya and their par-ents, Tonjali and Mike Robinson, for the trip.

Vacationing at Walt Disney World also inspired Akaya to continue pursuing one of her greatest loves, performing.

“Akaya is an entertainer,” Tonjali smiles. “She likes to sing with her microphone, she loves to dance, she pretends like she is directing a choir. She even directed the choir at church!”

An inspiring positivity and strength in the face of adver-sity is something that each member of the Robinson family shares, and it radiates in Akaya’s bubbly laugh in the back-ground as her mother recaps her experience.

“We really, really loved that we had the opportunity to experience this with Bert’s Big Adventure,” Tonjali says. “We’re so very grateful.”

THE ROBINSON FAMILY

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magicmaker...COOPER-ATLANTA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IS PROUD TO SPONSOR BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE

As a silver sponsor for Bert’s Big Adventure, Cooper-At-lanta Transportation Services, inc. (CATS) has proudly

served as the event’s transportation partner since 2008. Cooper-Atlanta joined this worthy philanthropic event after meeting Bert at a business networking event. After hearing about the children that Bert’s Big Adventure helps, CATS did not hesitate to help provided the transportation services needed to complete this amazing adventure!.

“Once I found out what Bert’s Big Adventure was all about, I knew we had to get involved,” says Peggy Ew-ing, Marketing Director for CATS. “Everyone at CATS loves working on this project. Many of our Chauff eurs volunteer months in advance to drive for Bert’s Big Adventure - year after year. They love getting to meet the kids – and the kids LOVE riding in the big Limousines!”

CATS picks up all of the kids and families involved with Bert’s Big Adventure each year and transports them from their homes to the hotel for this once-in-a-lifetime experi-ence. On the return trip CATS picks them all up at the airport and brings them back to their homes. Ewing adds, “Some of our chauff eurs even bring the kids fl owers and gifts when they get back into Atlanta. We really love these kids.”

According to Dennis Cooper, Owner of CATS, “It’s important that companies like ours support these chari-table functions to bring joy to terminally ill children and their families. Because of their special needs and fi nancial strain, this amazing trip is an experience many of these children and families would not have without the help of Bert’s Big Adventure and all the sponsors involved. We are honored to be one of those sponsors.”

Founded in 2005, Cooper Atlanta Transportation Services (CATS) has quickly become the premiere transportation ser-vice provider in the Atlanta luxury and business travel indus-try. To fi nd out more about Cooper-Atlanta Transportation Services, Inc please visit us at www.cooper-atlanta.com.

“MANY OF OUR CHAUFFEURS VOLUN-

TEER MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO DRIVE

FOR BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE – YEAR

AFTER YEAR.

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Michael Minyard

Ashley Wagner

(l to r) Peggy Ewing,Bert Weiss & Dennis Cooper

All photos this page: Ben Rose Photography

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magicmakers...IMAGINE IT! THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA By Betsy Harvey; Director of Marketing

Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta has participated in Bert’s Big Adventure since 2004. This program is near and dear to our hearts. Our

staff members thoroughly enjoy being a part of BBA and have many great memories from over the years.

“They have the capacity to accept life as it is and keep marching on,” said Joyce Matthews, reservation coordinator at Imagine It! ”We attend these events to lift up the parents and children. When we leave, we are the ones uplifted.”

For the past few years, we have been proud to be the meeting location for the BBA families for family orientation night. We are overjoyed to open our doors to the families, giving them a fun place to get to know each other and have a great time playing in our Museum.

“Every day I work at the Museum, I wear my BBA pin,” said Joanne Gon-zalez, Visitor Services staff member at Imagine It! “It makes me proud! It gives me the chance to tell others about the magic that happens when BBA comes into your life.”

At the big send-off celebration, our staff gathers at the hotel to enter-tain the families as they countdown to take-off . Museum Imaginator, Jerry G. White, who has been a part of the program since 2004, loves to set the mood of excitement with interactive entertainment broadcast breaks.

“BBA children inspire me to look at life diff erently,” said Lisa Bokovoy, marketing and communications coordinator at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. “Seeing how they live life positively and get through their obstacles is beyond inspiring.”

POSH TOT EVENTSBy Jennifer Shields; President & Founder

We were thrilled and honored when Bert’s Big Adventure approached Posh Tot Events to help create the Send-Off Party and Broadcast for

2009. VIP treatment for children is our specialty, but we have never had the opportunity to work with such a special group of children. From the initial planning discussions to seeing the last child off to the plane that would take them to Walt Disney World, the entire experience was rewarding and unique.

We used a “Red Carpet” theme for the party and created special VIP passes for all the children, parents and siblings. Festive gold satin linens adorned the tables and Party City graciously donated amazing balloon bouquets as centerpieces. WOW Photo Booth was also kind enough to donate their services, and what fun that added to the party! We set out a trunk of princess and knight costumes for the children to play dress up. Disney Characters from Salon 123 in Roswell and unique entertainment and face painting from the staff at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta kept the kids busy and entertained. Each mom was able to enjoy their own unique pampering experience. We created a “Pampering Tent” that included makeup application by Authentic Beauty, hair styling by Aura Salon and mini chair massages. More than one mom mentioned feeling like a movie star. They boarded the plane to Walt Disney World relaxed, refreshed and looking beautiful.

ImagineIt! Chidren’s Museum of Atlanta

ImagineIt! Chidren’s Museum of Atlanta

Posh Tot Events


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The Amerson Family

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THE WHOLE

EXPERIENCE

STILL STICKS IN

THEIR MINDS!

-WILL (KATIE & JACOB’S DAD)

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THE AMERSON FAMILY

The Starks are one, big, happy family—there are 11 of them. The two parents are Cheryl and Will. And the children range in age from 27 to 10. The oldest three are biological, and the last six are adopted and all have special needs. Of those six, two are Bert’s Big Adventure children: Jacob and Katie. Jacob is 10, in a wheelchair, and has Down Syndrome, as well as Cere-bral Palsy. His sister Katie, also 10, has Cri du Chat, which is a developmental genetic disorder caused by deletion of part of the No. 5 chromosome.

With six special-needs children at home, the Stark family works harder than most on a daily basis. “Two are total care that can’t do anything for themselves at all,” says Will. “The other two can, but it’s pretty much we’re still doing most ev-erything for them.” Will and Cheryl were reluctant when they applied for Bert’s Big Adventure. “We weren’t sure if Bert’s Big Adventure was ready for a family our size and for kids who are not cognitively normal,” says Will. “I was so wrong. It wasn’t just acceptance. It was a jump in and run with it kind of thing.”

Cheryl came down with pneumonia as soon as they ar-rived in Orlando, which resulted in her being bed-ridden in the hotel during the entire trip. Will, with six special-needs kids and his older healthy daughter, Jessica, and her hus-band, Robert, hit the park for some magical fun. “I was alone. I hated to leave my wife extremely sick, but I needed to take the kids out. That’s why we were there. We were there for them. I didn’t want Jessica and Robert to feel like they were babysitting, but the Bert team just picked up and took over, and it was wonderful. Every time we went out, there were at least two on their team with us. And with all that was going on with my wife, my family still could not have had a less-stressful time than the one we did.”

For the kids, the major highlight was the breakfast with the characters, from hugs, photo ops and autographs, as well as the playgrounds. They continue to relive their memories with the DVD of photos, the books they got there and the stuff ed animals. “The experience still sticks in their minds,” says Will. “And it probably will forever. Bert and his team are an amazing group of people.” Will remains thoroughly impressed with the heart and the passion of the staff and volunteers for BBA. “My kids are diff erent,” he says. “They talk to you, and you don’t understand what they’re saying. They do goofy things. One of mine, the sun wears her out and changes her emotionally. She was acting out, and typically, you’d see somebody kind of stand away from her. That didn’t happen at all. There was no stand-offi sh-ness. I have a child who drools all the time. And if you don’t have a heart for what you’re doing, that puts you off . But it didn’t phase anybody that I saw. They just hugged them, and it was amazing.”

THE STARK FAMILY


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6565 www.bertsbigadventure.org • magical moments magazine • 2009 Inaugural Issue

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FOLLOWING THE

DIFFICULT PATH IN

LIFE CAN BE THE

ONE THAT IS MOST

REWARDING.

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the journey...


It has been said, “Following the diffi cult path in life can be the one that is most rewarding.” Th is statement is validated each time we take fl ight on another Bert’s Big Adventure journey. And again as I watch Bert’s Big Adven-

ture families struggle with the most mundane tasks in the daily care of their special needs child. Because of this, I realize that the challenges Bert and I faced establish-ing this organization were truly worth the eff ort. It was an entire year of overcoming many roadblocks before we were granted the right to be a non-profi t public charity.

Bert and I are honored and proud to have founded this organization. Today we see the impact Bert’s Big Adventure has had on the lives of 73 families who have partici-pated in the Walt Disney World trip and Reunion Adventures. We are grateful to all of the contributors – from those who give $1.00 to Atlantic Southeast Airlines, who charter our fl ight annually. Th ank you for believing in our mission and continuing to donate so that more children and families can create Magical Moments together. You remind us that taking that diffi cult path is truly the most rewarding.

Stacey WeissCo-Founder and PresidentBert’s Big Adventure

A CLOSING MESSAGE FROM STACEY WEISS

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Bert's Big Adventure Magical Moments