Michael and Karen Watts and their two children Timothy (6) and Jaydon (3) took part in the Kalparrin Up & Away Day and were given a birds-eye view of Perth's city lights. The flight hosted about 75 children with special needs and disabilities, along with 75 carers, and special guests Fat Cat and a couple of crazy clown doctors.
"The excitement built up all day, they didn't talk about anything else",� Karen said.
"The buzz on the plane was incredible. As the plane taxied out the firefighters gave the plane a water salute from the fire engines" as the engines started to roar there were a few nerves about but as we took off cheers, claps and squeals of delight rippled through the plane.
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READ NOW"Getting to see the cockpit was super special; the boys loved it."
Timothy has severe anaphylaxis to all dairy products as well as immediate dermatitis when in contact with them, while Jaydon, whose condition is still under investigation, has been diagnosed with failure to thrive due to an eating disorder, difficulties and sensitivities.
"At 15-months-old Jaydon was eating about a teaspoon of crunchy food on a good day, after two weeks in hospital he was released with a nasal gastric feeding tube for 14 months," Karen said.
"He struggles everyday to eat and drink enough. At three and a half he has just managed to get to 12kg."
She said they could re-live this positive experience and had something special to hold on to and remember.
"On the hard days that's important to have that," she said.
�Sometimes it's easy to get bogged down in the medical stuff and the problems we face on top of what is usually faced by parents and families.
"These days are important to us as it gives us something to look forward to."