A mother went to Disneyland without her children because she couldn’t afford to take them during the school holidays.
Sarah Reid, 44, always wanted to go to the California theme park and decided to go during her children’s school term.
Sarah, who is mum to Damian, 20, and Lauren, 12, was able to get a grant through epilepsy charity the Danny Did Foundation to go in November 2024, but it only covered the costs for she and her husband, Mark, 49.
The couple enjoyed a week in California, visiting Disneyland and attending an epilepsy conference.
Sarah, a mum-of-two, author and fundraiser from Bristol, said before the trip: “It will be the first time my husband and I have traveled without the kids – it’s a bittersweet feeling.”
‘I always wanted to go. It makes me sad that my children can’t come with me, but they only pay for my partner and I to go.
‘You can’t take children out of school without facing the financial repercussions of lack of education.
‘The charity’s grant was only able to cover part of our trip and the costs are incredibly high when traveling outside the school holiday period.
Sarah Reid (pictured) always wanted to go to the park in California and decided to go during her children’s term time.
Pictured: Sarah Reid and her husband Mark at Disneyland, California. Mum-of-two Sarah said before the trip: “It will be the first time my husband and I have traveled without the kids – it’s a bittersweet feeling.”
The couple enjoyed a week in California, visiting Disneyland and attending an epilepsy conference. Here, Sarah is pictured at an epilepsy charity event in California.
Sarah is mum to Damian, 20 (pictured), and Lauren, 12. She was able to get a grant through the Danny Did Foundation, an epilepsy charity, to go to Disneyland, but it only covered the expenses for her and her husband.
‘If I took my children with me I would be fined £100 a day.
“I’ve always wanted to visit Disneyland, especially because the charity I work with is based there, but the expenses are huge.”
Sarah suffers from a number of health problems including epilepsy, OCD, borderline and personality disorder.
Sarah’s health problems began in early childhood, when she was diagnosed with epilepsy at age seven.
Since then he has been taking a lot of strong medications.
She said: ‘I take almost 20 tablets a day to control my epilepsy and I have had to learn to control my triggers such as stress, lack of sleep or illness.
‘My epilepsy used to be much worse. Before I had brain surgery in 2016, I had five seizures a day.
“The surgery has really reduced them, but I still need to take care of my health every day.”
As she battles with her health, Sarah remains focused on her advocacy and has raised £18,000 for various charities, including those related to epilepsy.
I was desperate to go to Disneyland so I could attend a conference for an epilepsy benefit.
The mother flew to California on November 14, 2024, leaving her children with her parents.
Sarah said: ‘My parents look after my daughter while I travel.
‘My eldest son, Damian, is 20 and goes to Cheltenham University, and my youngest daughter, Lauren, 12, will be looked after by my kind parents for a week. ‘
Sarah suffers from a number of health problems including epilepsy, OCD, borderline and personality disorder. Sarah’s health problems began in early childhood, when she was diagnosed with epilepsy at age seven. Here she is in the photo with Damian.
Sarah works to raise awareness about epilepsy and support families facing the same struggles. Sarah was supported by trained airport staff when she flew to the United States, who took her to the boarding gate. Sarah is pictured here while in California.
Going on vacation also helps Sarah combat anxiety.
She said: ‘I get anxiety, and crowded places can make my anxiety skyrocket.
“Traveling during the semester helps a little, as there are usually fewer people, but there is still a lot to manage.”
Sarah works to raise awareness about epilepsy and support families facing the same struggles.
She said: “I never want anyone to feel alone in their journey – that’s what keeps me going knowing I can make a difference, even if it’s just for one person.”
Sarah was supported by trained airport staff when she flew to the United States, who took her to the boarding gate.
She said: “It’s comforting to know I have that support, especially when traveling with an illness like epilepsy.”
Sarah was determined to make the trip a success and enjoy herself, even while her children were stuck at school and university.
Sarah said: ‘My journey is not easy, but I know it is important. I hope that by sharing my experiences I can help other people who are going through similar struggles.’