Achieving an "impossible dream" of travelling overseas

A young adult living at Prior’s Court has taken a major step towards her family’s dream of her seeing relatives in Uganda by going on her first flight since she was very young.

Tezira, a young adult supported at Prior’s Court, has recently returned from a holiday abroad—an unforgettable four-day, three-night trip to Mallorca that marked a significant milestone in her journey towards greater independence.

From 23 to 26 April, Tezira enjoyed a stay at the Jutlandia Family Resort in Santa Ponsa, accompanied by staff members Courtney and Hannah.

The experience is especially meaningful, as Tezira’s family hopes she may one day be able to visit relatives in their home country of Uganda.

Proscovia, Tezira's mother, said: "This was Tezira's first flight since she was three-years-old. So this something that, for many years, felt like an impossible dream. The fact that she was not only able to travel but to enjoy the experience is nothing short of a miracle.

"The journey was more than just a holiday, it was a moment of affirmation and transformation for Tezira and for us as her family. You have opened a door of new possibilities and for that we're truly thankful! We will carry this memory as a reminder of what is possible when people truly care."

Activities enjoyed on holiday

During her time in Mallorca, Tezira embraced a variety of experiences. She watched evening entertainment at the hotel—including magic shows, dancing, and the mini disco—and took peaceful walks along the beach to nearby shops. She also spent time relaxing by the pool, soaking up the sun while listening to music and people-watching. When the atmosphere became too overwhelming, Tezira used the hotel room as a quiet retreat, demonstrating her awareness of her need for regulation throughout the trip.

The preparation

This was not only Tezira’s first time on a plane but her first trip abroad since she was three-years-old. The holiday followed two years of careful preparation, including regular visits to Southampton Airport and the Bournemouth Aviation Museum, where Tezira practised sitting in aeroplane seats and using seatbelts. She also met the special assistance team at Bournemouth Airport - where her Mallorca flight departed from - to help build familiarity and reduce anxiety.

To further support Tezira, a personalised social story was created using images of the hotel, beach, shops, and other locations, helping her visualise the holiday in advance.

Tezira was able to choose her breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for each meal as the stay was all-inclusive with buffet meals. This enabled Tezira to have more choice in her meals.  Staff also trialled the use of a portable blender at a local restaurant to ensure Tezira’s blended diet could be safely and comfortably managed.

Tezira coped exceptionally well with the flights, needing only brief reassurance during takeoff. She spent most of the journey using her iPad to listen to music and enjoyed colouring alongside staff.

Staff member Courtney said: “Tezira done amazingly well throughout the whole trip and coping well with lots of new things that would be strange for a neurotypical person to deal with such as airports can be stressful with how busy they are and the noise, lights etc.

“Tezira impressed us beyond words. She overcame so many challenges and showed real resilience. Her growing confidence each day was incredible to see.”

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