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Dolphins dream sunk for brave 10-year-old

7:00pm Friday 19th September 2008

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IT was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, to allow a 10-year-old Bournemouth girl with a rare life-limiting disease to swim with dolphins and visit Disneyland in Florida.

Instead, Ebony Robinson's parents had to break the news that their two-week break wasn't going to happen because Travel City Direct was part of XL Leisure Group, which has gone into administration.

Ebony's dad Tyrone, 37, said that although the firm is Atol-protected, by the time they get the money back it may be too late to book another trip as his daughter's health is worsening.

Ebony has Ataxia Telangiectasia, a genetic progressive disease that causes multiple disabilities including affecting motor skills and the immune system.

Mr Robinson said that those with AT generally do not survive through their late teens.

Ebony is not completely dependent on her wheelchair but has been using it a lot more recently, so he can't say what the future will hold.

The lost holiday was a double blow as friends and family members had raised the £5,358 needed and family friend Rachel Allen had urged her brother Mark Archer to run the Flora London Marathon to help.

Mr Robinson, who works for the Post Office, said he and wife Lorna watched the news about XL Leisure unfolding with horror.

"The chief executive of XL was giving a press conference and he said: Please bear in mind we also trade as Travel City Direct'. I looked at my wife, she looked at me - and she burst into tears."

Mr Robinson said that Ebony loved dolphins and when she heard she was to swim with them at Discovery Cove, had shed tears of joy.

Rachel Allen, who works for Seward in Christchurch, said she hoped someone would come to their aid and advance the money until the Atol refund came through.


Your Say YourBournemouth Echo

sisyphus, Newtown says...
12:17pm Sat 20 Sep 08

It's hard to avoid being ever so slightly cynical when the Echo regularly publishes suggestible hard-luck stories, but is it remotely possible that the media could manage to run such a story without printing headlines describing a sick child as "brave". Wouldn't "unlucky" do?

LWildoner, USA says...
1:54pm Sat 20 Sep 08

Unfortunately, my son, 21 yrs. also has "A-T." This is a very real and devastating disease, which DOES make this story heartbreaking to read as it could be my own child. In the USA, companies are going bankrupt every day-horrid economy. Don't be so cynical....check out: http://www.atcp.org

Bowey00, Australia says...
3:10pm Sat 20 Sep 08

Obviously you do not have a child who suffers from such a terrifying disease as A-T. I have two children who do have A-T. Our children ARE BRAVE every day of their life. Take the advice of the last comment and do yourself a favour and look up the website and maybe you will change your out of touch opinion about our kids. Did you also happen to notice that the family in question was not asking for a "hand out" but a helping hand until their own money was refunded to them.

Maria, christchurch says...
9:14pm Sat 20 Sep 08

sisyphus wrote:
It's hard to avoid being ever so slightly cynical when the Echo regularly publishes suggestible hard-luck stories, but is it remotely possible that the media could manage to run such a story without printing headlines describing a sick child as "brave". Wouldn't "unlucky" do?
I think this little girl is extremely brave and I think as a society we are the ones who are "unlucky" to have such unsympathetic hard people living amongst us. Hope that someone comes forward to grant this little girl her dream whilst she can still enjoy it.

clickboom, bournemouth, uk says...
11:10am Mon 22 Sep 08

My daughter is very brave...everyday she fights through her problems and disadvantages without ever complaining..she keeps a beautiful smile on her face constantly and makes others very happy..personally i am moved each time we attend the annual A.T Family Day by the wonderful and happy children i see despite the horrifying hardships they go through..if more people had their attitude the world would be a better place

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Martin Lewis

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