MUM IS PLOTTING AGAIN! 😂🚢✨

On Wednesday, I took Alessio to the Pier Head to see the magnificent Disney Dream cruise ship before she sailed away from Liverpool.

But this wasn't just another one of our little outings. Mum had an ulterior motive!

Last year, Alessio saw photographs from his college friend who had been to Disneyland Paris and ever since then, he's been asking me to take him there — by train!

Now, Alessio may have severe autism and learning difficulties, but his opinion and wishes matter to me just as much as any other 23-year-old's. If he tells me he wants to experience something, I listen.

However... Mum also knows him extremely well!

Disneyland Paris sounds wonderful, but the reality for Alessio could be very different. He isn't interested in most of the rides and some would frighten him. He doesn't watch films because he struggles to understand and concentrate on them, and Disneyland involves A LOT of walking, which would be difficult with his disabilities.

Then there is the journey from Liverpool to London before even catching the train to Paris!

So Mum started plotting...

I discovered that a Disney cruise wouldn't cost dramatically more, but I think Alessio would enjoy the experience much more.

There was just one BIG problem.

Would I actually get him onto the ship?

Alessio doesn't like unfamiliar environments and, because he is a visual learner, I can explain a cruise ship to him until I'm blue in the face but that doesn't mean he can imagine what I'm talking about.

I remembered taking him on a ferry some years ago. He was absolutely petrified and refused to step aboard. After lots of reassurance and coaching from Mum, he eventually did it.

and then thoroughly enjoyed himself!

So when I discovered Disney Dream was coming to Liverpool, I thought, PERFECT!

Rather than showing him photographs, I could take him to the Pier Head and let him see this enormous Disney cruise ship with his own eyes.

He could see what Mum was talking about and decide for himself whether he might like to go on one.

And then came another surprise...

Because Alessio is hypersensitive to noise, I wasn't sure how he would react to the fireworks as Disney Dream sailed away.

He absolutely LOVED them!

So I think Mum's little experiment was a success.

Perhaps Disneyland Paris will have to wait, because Disney cruise 2027 could be on the horizon!

People sometimes ask why I go to so much trouble planning these experiences for Alessio.

The answer is actually very simple.

Because I love him.

His disabilities don't make his wishes less important. I want him to experience life, travel, have adventures and make wonderful memories just like everybody else.

Sometimes I just have to find a different way of making those experiences possible for him.

And as for the cost?

I'll find the money. I always do.

Because I want my boy to have the best life I can possibly give him.