Sophia's Family Wish on Daydream Island
19-year-old Sophia reflects on her dream biology wish with her family and shares the impact of a wish come true
About Sophia
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Sophia's school biology excursion to the Great Barrier Reef was cancelled. This, along with her diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, plus some other devastating family loss equaled a very trying time for Sophia.
But through her wish 'to spend time relaxing with my mum and grandma'; Sophia found joy in witnessing the world's largest coral reef system, closure on her cancer journey, and hope for her future. All encompassed by the enduring love of her family.
After flying to Hamilton Island, Sophia, her mum, and her grandma took a ferry to Daydream Island where they enjoyed five days exploring the Great Barrier Reef, learning about marine biology, relaxing at the Daydream Spa, and much more!
Read the interview below ⬇️ to learn about Sophia's relaxing Daydream wish.
Can you please describe your Wish Experience?
My Wish Experience was nothing short of amazing.
I’ve always been a meticulous planner when it came to our family holidays - even since I was young.
Having someone else plan this trip was both so exciting and slightly nerve-wracking for mum and me, but it couldn’t have turned out better.
Why was it important for you to include your mum and grandma in your wish?
One thing so many people forget, is that a cancer journey doesn’t just impact the patient, but the whole family. My mum was by my side through every step, being patient with me when I was not always the easiest to help. My grandma would catch the bus and tram (too stubborn to catch a taxi!) to come see me in hospital as often as she could, always bringing me food and a smile.
My wish wouldn’t have been complete without them because after all the hard times we experienced together, it was nice to do something so positive and fun.
What inspired you to choose your wish?
The week I was diagnosed with leukaemia, I sat my year 12 biology exam in the hospital ward because I wouldn’t go to hospital otherwise. My love for biology only grew and became such an asset throughout my treatment, allowing me to truly understand and grasp everything that was happening on a scientific level.
My year 10 advanced biology trip to the Great Barrier Reef was cancelled due to COVID-19 and I never got to go. It only seemed fitting that my wish be to finally have this trip come to fruition.
How did it feel to experience your wish with your mum and grandma by your side?
It was so lovely to have them there with me and experience everything alongside me. Even though neither are big on swimming, they watched and supported as I snorkeled in the reef – at times even standing in the rain. It reminded me how lucky we are to have each other.
What was your favourite part of your wish?
Being able to experience the living reef and spend the day with the marine biologist. I got to feed sharks and rays and assist and see all sorts of things I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.
I even got a behind-the-scenes look at their filtration and coral propagation systems. The ladies were lovely, making sure I got to experience everything in the short time we had together.
How would you describe the impact your wish had on you?
It gave me a clear finish to an extremely difficult time in my life. Being on holiday with my family made me realise how much I had missed in the 2.5 years of treatment, but got me excited for the future and showed me that there is so much more to life than going to the hospital.
What are you looking forward to most about this next chapter?
While treatment won’t officially be finished till November this year, I’ve been able to regain all the independence I’d lost since being diagnosed with cancer. I’ve had a few steep learning curves, like doing my own washing, but re-entering society as a more able person has been so freeing.
I’m so excited to start doing normal things like hanging out with friends, doing uni work, and all the mundane tasks that I haven’t been able to do.
