For years, Tom dreamed of visiting the United States. It wasn't just somewhere he wanted to travel to - it has always been a big part of his life. His flat in sunny Devon is filled with American flags, Disney memorabilia and stars-and-stripes souvenirs. He loves everything from American food and music to the history, culture and famous landmarks of the USA. 

He can happily spend hours sharing facts about Disney parks and American trivia, earning him the nickname ‘Mr USA’ from the people and support team around him. 

After the Covid-19 pandemic, life became much harder for Tom. Anxiety around health appointments, vaccinations and busy social situations meant that even leaving home could sometimes feel overwhelming. Although he never stopped talking about America, the dream of travelling there began to feel further away. 

But Tom’s support team didn’t want to see the dream slip away. They worked patiently alongside him to rebuild his confidence step by step. By taking the time to understand what mattered most to him, they were able to use his passion for America and Disney as motivation throughout the journey. 

Together, they broke the goal down into smaller, more manageable steps. The team supported Tom to attend important health appointments linked to travelling abroad, helping him feel informed, reassured and in control throughout the process. They also gradually introduced busier environments and changes to routine at a pace that felt comfortable for him, allowing his confidence to grow naturally over time. 

Tom was encouraged to lead decisions about the trip himself - from planning activities to choosing the places he most wanted to visit. Along the way, he also found creative ways to express his excitement and emotions, including writing songs inspired by America and Disney. 

Slowly, what once felt impossible started to feel achievable and then came the moment Tom had been dreaming about for years – boarding a plane to Florida. 

When he arrived in Orlando, Tom embraced every part of the experience. On his first day at Magic Kingdom, he enjoyed the Winnie the Pooh ride, listened to American music playing through the park and treated himself to a bright blue raspberry slushy from ‘Little Miss USA’.  

During the trip, Tom explored Disney’s Hollywood Studios, met Mickey and Minnie Mouse, rode Runaway Railway and proudly visited the Hall of Presidents. He celebrated his birthday surrounded by the sights, sounds and atmosphere he had loved for so long from afar. 

For Tom, the holiday was about much more than travel. It was about confidence, independence, choice and proving to himself that his goals were possible with the right support around him.

“My trip to America was excellent! I have a big, big, big passion for the USA.  I would like to go back and do another part of the USA in three years time.” 

– Tom  

At SeeAbility, we believe everyone deserves the chance to live a full and meaningful life. Through our Great Expectations Framework, we support people to work towards the things that matter most to them - whether that’s building confidence, improving health, developing relationships or achieving a lifelong ambition. 

“Tom’s journey shows what can happen when support is truly person-centred. By listening to what matters to someone and supporting them in the right way, we can break down barriers and make goals that once felt out of reach become reality.” - Paul Pargeter, Director of Quality and Innovation 

Dreams should never be limited by disability, anxiety or expectations and that with the right support, extraordinary things can happen.