A family’s much-anticipated Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyland Paris turned into a heartbreaking ordeal when their journey was abruptly halted due to the discovery of an unexploded World War Two bomb near Gare du Nord station in Paris. Toni Mannion, a devoted mother, had been eagerly looking forward to creating precious memories with her terminally ill daughter, Daisy, who suffers from a rare metabolic disorder called Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH). Daisy, a five-year-old with complex needs including the use of a wheelchair, non-verbal communication, and severe epilepsy, was left devastated as their dream trip was shattered by unforeseen circumstances.
Ms. Mannion, along with her one-year-old daughter Lara, her mother, and a friend, had embarked on the journey from Birmingham to London with high hopes of a magical adventure in Disneyland Paris. Make-A-Wish had generously sponsored the entire trip, covering all expenses from start to finish. However, their excitement was abruptly dashed as Eurostar services were disrupted following the bomb scare, leaving them unable to proceed with their journey to France.
Expressing her profound disappointment, Ms. Mannion shared, “We’ve been planning this for such a long time. Make-A-Wish charity paid for everything from start to finish. We were really looking forward to making some special memories with the girls. I know Make-A-Wish will look to reorganize. But it’s still a bit gutting really. I cried, we all cried. We’ve been really looking forward to it. Her [Daisy’s] life is limited, we just never know how long we’ve got left with her. We wanted to make some really nice memories.”
The unexploded bomb, found in close proximity to the major train station in Paris, caused widespread disruption to Eurostar services, leaving many travelers stranded on either side of the Channel. Despite the chaotic situation, some individuals like Vicky and her mother Jo decided to embrace the unexpected turn of events and make the most of their extended stay in Paris.
“We were starting to get a bit worried about being able to get home eventually,” Vicky shared. They had initially planned for a brief overnight stay but opted to extend their visit, seizing the opportunity to explore the city and soak in the beauty of Paris. Making the best out of a challenging situation, they chose to appreciate the extra time spent in the City of Light.
Meanwhile, other travelers faced frustrations and difficulties in navigating the disrupted travel arrangements. Bob and Mavis from Nottingham encountered issues with the Eurostar app, experiencing crashes and delays while attempting to secure alternative travel options. Despite the hurdles, the couple persevered and managed to secure a train for their journey to Paris the following day, albeit at the cost of an unexpected overnight stay in London.
The unexpected turn of events not only disrupted travel plans but also highlighted the resilience and adaptability
