Ramsey Farrar’s dad pointed toward the oncoming characters, but a podium blocked the 3-year-old’s view. As they crept closer, Ramsey ran to greet them. Then he paused, mouth open, catching his first glimpse of Mickey Mouse and his dog.
He exchanged greetings — “Hey Pluto! Hey Mickey!” — before falling into the costumed mouse’s arms for a hug.
Moments later, Ramsey yelled: “I like Mickey.”
It was an extraordinary moment for the Farrars, who along with two other area families flew from Portland Friday to the Disneyland resort in Los Angeles for a five-day vacation on the inaugural voyage of the jetliner “Spirit of Disney 2,” courtesy of a collaboration between the theme park, Alaska Airlines and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The Farrar, Couch and Giles families were selected by the foundation for an opportunity they characterized as “once in a lifetime.”
Ramsey Farrar of Vancouver took the trip with his parents, Joseph and Shawna Farrar, stepbrother Hayden McAllister and 1-year-old sister Brooklyn.
Four-year-old Nathan Couch, also of Vancouver, flew with his parents, Randy and Debbie Couch, and two brothers, 11-year-old Brayden and 3-year-old Connor.
A third family, the Gileses of Milwaukie, Ore., had seats reserved on the flight as well.
Ramsey and Avarie Giles, 5, both suffer from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Nathan Couch has neuroblastoma — a form of cancer that often, but not always, comes in the shape of tumor tucked in an individual’s abdomen.
“Just being able to get away with the family and get away from the stresses that go along with your child having a life-threatening illness,” Joseph Farrar said, “is amazing.”
That means it’s mission accomplished for Andrew Asato, the executive director for the Make-A-Wish chapter that serves Oregon and Clark County.
“We’re just so fortunate to be in these kids’ lives and provide them with strength, hope and joy at a time when they really need it,” Asato said.
The foundation provides children ages 2-18 with life-threatening illnesses and their families with a “wish” when a doctor, social worker or parents nominate the child.
“The children requested the trip to meet the princesses or Mickey,” Asato said. “And they were selected for this maiden voyage that includes Pluto.”
The excitement began early Friday morning when the families were picked up at their homes by limousine.
Ramsey knew he was excited to meet Mickey, but that’s about all the 3-year-old had a grasp of when he left his house.
“We got to the airport and he pointed and said ‘Disneyland,’” Joseph Farrar said. “I can’t wait to see his face when he sees Mickey and all those guys.”
That moment unexpectedly arrived about an hour later.
All three families expected to meet the characters upon their arrival at the Disneyland resort. They had no idea they would be flying aboard Alaska Airlines’s brand new Boeing 737 “Spirit of Disney 2,” which is decorated with Disney characters, or that they would be greeted at Gate C1 by the famed mouse.
Ramsey danced with Mickey while his dad looked on a few feet away.
“This is crazy,” he said. “I’m just so enthralled by Ramsey’s excitement. He really thinks that’s Mickey.”
Ramsey is undergoing maintenance treatments and often wears a mask in public because his immune system is weak. He didn’t wear the mask Friday, and even if he did, it wouldn’t have contained the boy’s smile.
“It’s only been two hours, and, wow,” Joseph Farrar said.
Nathan sat out the dancing. Instead, he drew a picture of Mickey on a small round chalkboard set inside a cardboard frame.
He put his drawing on hold when the “Spirit’s” flight crew stopped by to say hello.
“He’s a little overwhelmed,” Debbie Couch said.
Nathan’s cancer has been in full remission for about two months.
The Couches planned to take their Make-A-Wish trip in the spring until they got a call recently asking if they were interested in moving Nathan’s wish to December for what the foundation called “an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Without hesitation, the Couches said yes. They didn’t regret it.
“It was a big surprise, especially the limo,” Debbie Couch said. “We were very happy to know that Nathan’s getting his wish for Christmas.”
Bob Albrecht: 360-735-4522; bob.albrecht@columbian.com.
