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Heartbreak for Family as Dream Disneyland Trip is Cancelled
A mother is reeling after a planned trip to Disneyland Paris for her terminally ill daughter, Daisy, was abruptly cancelled due to disruptions in Eurostar services. The delays were caused by the discovery of an unexploded World War Two bomb near Gare du Nord station in Paris.
Toni Mannion, 38, expressed her disappointment, stating that she and her family had been eagerly anticipating the trip. With Daisy’s complex medical needs, alternative transport options were not feasible.
The bomb was successfully defused on Friday afternoon, with Eurostar announcing that normal service would resume the following day. Simon Lejeune, Eurostar’s chief safety and stations officer, extended his apologies for the inconvenience to travelers.
Daisy, who is five years old, suffers from Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia (NKH), a rare metabolic disorder. She requires a wheelchair and faces severe epilepsy, making family outings particularly meaningful yet challenging.
The family journeyed from Birmingham to London on Thursday, accompanied by Daisy’s younger sister Lara, Mannion’s mother, and a friend. Mannion reflected on the extensive planning that had gone into the trip, facilitated by the Make-A-Wish charity, which covered all expenses from start to finish.
“We had been excited about creating some special memories together,” Mannion shared. “It’s incredibly disheartening. I know Make-A-Wish will try to reschedule, but it’s still devastating.” Tears were shed among family members as they came to terms with the cancellation, aware of the uncertain future they face with Daisy’s health.
Many other travelers found themselves stranded on the continent due to varying degrees of disruption. However, some, like Vicky and her mother Jo, chose to embrace the situation and extend their stay in Paris. “We were starting to get a bit worried about being able to get home eventually,” Vicky admitted, noting their initial plans for a one-night trip had changed.
Instead, the pair decided to stay longer, making the most of their impromptu adventure in the City of Light by visiting iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.
Many individuals encountered difficulties accessing the Eurostar app, adding to the frustrations of their disrupted travel plans. Bob and Mavis from Nottingham shared their struggles, revealing it took hours to navigate the app due to frequent crashes. They eventually managed to secure a train for Saturday, although they faced additional costs from booking an unexpected overnight stay in London.
The incidents surrounding the bomb discovery and ensuing travel disruptions serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of travel, where dreams of magical moments can quickly turn into challenges that test the resilience of families facing extraordinary circumstances.
Source
www.bbc.com