Hurricane Matthew postpones local family’s Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World

JACKSON, Tenn. — The effects of Hurricane Matthew are being felt here in West Tennessee as a local family who was set to leave on a special trip to Florida were forced to cancel their plans — at least for now.

Noah Ellsworth, 7, has recently completed his treatment for cancer. He was granted his wish to go to Disney World from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but Hurricane Matthew has put those plans on hold.

Although the Ellsworth family enjoyed their Friday afternoon at home, that wasn’t what they had planned — their bags were already packed for Walt Disney World.

“We were planning to leave tomorrow [Saturday], and we got a call yesterday that the flights to Orlando had been canceled for pretty much the entire weekend,” Noah’s dad, Tim Ellsworth, said.

Hurricane Matthew’s impact may not have been physical for West Tennessee, but it’s delivered a heartbreaking blow for this family.

“It’s frustrating just because I’ve been dealing with phone calls and texts and things like that trying to get everything changed,” Tim said.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation, with help from Union University’s Chi Omega sorority, surprised Noah on Monday by granting his wish for a trip to Disney World after his almost three-year battle with cancer. The Make-A-Wish Foundation says safety for their families is always top of mind.

“Our team has been watching Hurricane Matthew as it has been moving, of course, and noting all of our families who are in the area and all of our families who are traveling there,” Make-A-Wish Communications Manager Amanda Wiig said. “The safety of our families is the utmost important to us.”

Tim said although they are disappointed, they’re looking forward to eventually making it to the happiest place on earth.

“It’s not like there’s anybody to blame. We’re grateful for Make-A-Wish and for working with us and bending over backwards to accommodate us and get everything rescheduled,” Tim said.

The Ellsworths tell WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News they already have a new date for their trip, but for now they’re keeping it a surprise.

Make-A-Wish said they deal with natural disasters with families traveling all the time, so they’re used to rescheduling travel plans.