Tracie Lawlor

My name is Tracie Lawlor. I am nineteen years old and I suffer with a disease known as cystic fibrosis. I want to tell you about my experience with the Team in New York and how it has affected my life.

The trip to New York was absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much for it. I had a ball. It was the trip of a lifetime. Something I will never ever forget as long as I live - it was definitely the best fortnight of my life... no exaggeration! I formed life-long friendships and I know I'll never lose contact with my team... adults included.

I got the opportunity to be a participant on a team representing my country in the Empire State Games. That was such an honour. The games were so much fun and it felt like we had won an event in the Olympics when presented with the medals. It was impossible not to feel the pride swelling up inside.

Not only did we represent our country in the games but for the remainder of the two weeks, we were treated like royalty. We were "wined and dined", brought to see the most amazing sights and even the FBI laid on a bar-b-que and boat trips for us... the FBI no less; people I thought only existed in the movies!!

New York was a place I had always dreamed of visiting but I never once dared to think my dream might come true. But it did. And much more besides; I got to see the city, travel around it in style, see the huge shops etc. So much that I could only ever have wished for. Who says dreams don't come true? Mine certainly did. I can never ever thank you enough for that.

I made so many friends and now have so many connections in America. I am determined never to lose touch with all you guys in the U.S.A. It didn't feel like you were in charge - it felt like we were all a huge "family" having great fun.

You all took great care of us but did it without making an issue out of it. None of us were ever made to feel like a burden and I know, I for one, was! Unexpected infections resulting in unscheduled trips to doctors etc. You all went out of your way to mind me and yet, never made me feel like a nuisance.

Bill and Susan were very special to me. In fact, something Bill said in America will remain in my mind forever and it is something I have lived by and kept reminding myself of since I came home. He said that we all "have more abilities than disabilities." That is something I've quoted Bill on since: While in hospital, the cystic fibrosis team kept telling me what I wasn't able to do and where I couldn't go, etc. so I told them what Bill said! Those words mean very much to me - they completely sum up my attitude. They are simple words but, when thought about, they mean a lot. That's the nicest way of describing a bunch of disabled people I've ever heard. Thank you for saying that. It helped the whole team. I came home believing that I could do anything I put my mind to and even though it might take me a bit longer to do and it might be a bit harder, I'll still get it done in the end.

Anyway, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the golden opportunity you did. It was definitely a once-off trip, never to be repeated, but also never to be forgotten. I was sad too when it came to an end (as the buckets of tears in the airport showed), but the memories and friendships will last forever.

I can never thank you enough - I know that - but I just had to try anyway.

Tracie