2010 Summer Outings

In an effort to achieve the dreams of rare disease patients, our foundation has started to hold summer traveling activities since 2004. Over the past years, our footsteps have spanned throughout Taiwan. This year, our eighth annual traveling event was held at the Flying Cow Farm in northern Taiwan and Kenting Resort in southern Taiwan. Through these activities, patients and families were able to relax and rejuvenate their bodies and minds. On top of that, they were able to share experiences with one another and altogether witness the growth and maturation of our foundation.

Three-hundred-and-twenty lucky patients and family members attended this tourism group along with staff, volunteers and medical crew members from our foundation. Opening in July at the Flying Cow Farm, the first part of the travel event marked an impressive start. In San-Yi town, patients admired the delicate wood sculptures and painted the carved ducklings. Some dressed the ducklings in soccer uniforms of various countries; other turned them into astronauts and celebrities. Also, patients and families wandered in the green fields of the farm, milked cows, and interacted with wild animals. Furthermore, they enjoyed making mocha-egg tarts, au lait ice cream, etc. All in all, the creative and refreshing activities successfully entertained patients and family members.

The next stop of this wonderful journey was the Kenting Resort in Augst. Located in the southernmost region of Taiwan, the Kenting Resort is known for its spectacular scenery. After visiting the aquarium and viewing a colorful 3D showing of the sea world, we arrived at the resort. Patients enjoyed riding bicycles, swimming, and sight-seeing. On the next day, volunteers helped patients fulfill their dreams of paint-balling, bowling, and leather-carving. One of the patients even claimed, “I was never able to go to a bowling alley due to my wheel-chair. Yet this time, they pushed me straight onto the alley and took care of me as I bowled. It was such a wonderful experience!”

Although the planning and execution processes of this trip were troublesome and exhausting, all efforts paid off. The appreciation and experience-sharing from patients and family members were the best rewards for our foundation. The short two-day trip has left an eternal mark on every attendee’s heart. Although there is still a big room for improvement in establishing a complete handicapped-accessible environment in Taiwan, we believe tourism events are still possible with the cooperation of staff and volunteers. We look forward to holding another event next year! See you all then!