Sacha’s Inspirational Journey
Sacha is 13 years old. He has a genetic disorder, Williams-Beuren syndrome, that causes developmental delay, cardiovascular issues and learning difficulties.
Sacha is unlike many little boys not only because of his handicap, but because of his dreams and aspirations.
Sacha is undertaking the journey of a life-time, physically, mentally and spiritually. He is travelling around the world by train, visiting many places and meeting many people along the way. His father, Franck knew that he liked trains and together they thought it would be a wonderful experience for Sacha to travel around the world by train.
Williams syndrome, which occurs in about 1 in 8,000 births, is caused by a number of missing genes. The syndrome may result in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) some physical abnormalities and learning
disorders, but personality traits can include being very open, trusting and friendly. There is no known cure for Williams syndrome, and the narrowing of blood vessels can cause serious health complications.
But Sacha’s parents have worked tirelessly to make his dream a reality. Franck is accompanying Sacha on his journey, and his mother, Helene, is supporting them both from their home in France. Travelling from their home town, Tours, Central France, Sacha and his father have started an epic journey across Europe and plan to continue through Asia and Africa. This week they are in Mongolia.
The two adventurers left France on May 10; and travelled by train from Tours, France to Paris and Nice, on through to Italy and Vienna, then through Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Belarus, Russia and are now in Mongolia.
In Italy, the first country on their tour outside of France, the reality of the trip sunk in when Sacha realised there would be “no school tomorrow”. It must be very exciting for a boy of 13 to have an endless stretch of travelling possibilities ahead of him, but also challenging because of the unknown people and places yet to come.
In Russia Sacha and his father bravely left their train home to explore new sights and cultures. In St Petersburg, they went to the Royal Palace of St Petersburg and the Tchaikovsky ballet. Sacha told his dedicated followers and supporters that he really enjoyed the ballet, and commented to his father that the dancers seemed like butterflies.
After this they were joined by two journalists who will make a short documentary on Sacha and his journey.
These are not the only interesting people that they have met on their trip so far. Sasha met a friend of the Dalai Lama on the train and quickly became travelling companions as they visited Moscow together. At the suggestion of this new found friend Sacha and Franck visited an important site of Buddhism in Russia; Buryatia Buddhist temple, located near Verkhnyaya Ivolga village. Because of the courage that Sacha has shown in making this round the world tour, he was given the honour of being able to touch the Grand Lama. It is said that touching the Grand Lama has great healing powers.
Sasha and his father arrived in Ulaanbaatar via the Trans-Siberian early on Sunday morning to be greeted by members of the French community in Mongolia. Planning to truly experience Mongolia and Mongolian culture they are staying with a family in Ulaanbaatar. They also travelled to Khustain National Park to see the wild Prejwaski horses and stayed in a ger with a nomadic family on the Tuul River.
They arrive back in Ulaanbaatar this morning where Sacha plans to visit Narantuul Zuuk (Black Market) and explore the sights and sounds of the bustling Mongolian market.
This inspirational young boy will also visit orphaned Mongolian children with disabilities at the Lotus Children’s Centre in Bayanzrukh District to find out how these children live with their lives in Mongolia.
Sacha and his father will leave on the Trans-Mongolian tomorrow morning at 7:15. If you would like to support Sacha on his grand journey and wish him luck on his next adventure go say farewell at the Ulaanbaatar train station.
You can find out more about Sacha on his website: www.voyagedesacha.fr
Sacha is unlike many little boys not only because of his handicap, but because of his dreams and aspirations.
Sacha is undertaking the journey of a life-time, physically, mentally and spiritually. He is travelling around the world by train, visiting many places and meeting many people along the way. His father, Franck knew that he liked trains and together they thought it would be a wonderful experience for Sacha to travel around the world by train.
Williams syndrome, which occurs in about 1 in 8,000 births, is caused by a number of missing genes. The syndrome may result in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) some physical abnormalities and learning
disorders, but personality traits can include being very open, trusting and friendly. There is no known cure for Williams syndrome, and the narrowing of blood vessels can cause serious health complications.
But Sacha’s parents have worked tirelessly to make his dream a reality. Franck is accompanying Sacha on his journey, and his mother, Helene, is supporting them both from their home in France. Travelling from their home town, Tours, Central France, Sacha and his father have started an epic journey across Europe and plan to continue through Asia and Africa. This week they are in Mongolia.
The two adventurers left France on May 10; and travelled by train from Tours, France to Paris and Nice, on through to Italy and Vienna, then through Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Belarus, Russia and are now in Mongolia.
In Italy, the first country on their tour outside of France, the reality of the trip sunk in when Sacha realised there would be “no school tomorrow”. It must be very exciting for a boy of 13 to have an endless stretch of travelling possibilities ahead of him, but also challenging because of the unknown people and places yet to come.
In Russia Sacha and his father bravely left their train home to explore new sights and cultures. In St Petersburg, they went to the Royal Palace of St Petersburg and the Tchaikovsky ballet. Sacha told his dedicated followers and supporters that he really enjoyed the ballet, and commented to his father that the dancers seemed like butterflies.
After this they were joined by two journalists who will make a short documentary on Sacha and his journey.
These are not the only interesting people that they have met on their trip so far. Sasha met a friend of the Dalai Lama on the train and quickly became travelling companions as they visited Moscow together. At the suggestion of this new found friend Sacha and Franck visited an important site of Buddhism in Russia; Buryatia Buddhist temple, located near Verkhnyaya Ivolga village. Because of the courage that Sacha has shown in making this round the world tour, he was given the honour of being able to touch the Grand Lama. It is said that touching the Grand Lama has great healing powers.
Sasha and his father arrived in Ulaanbaatar via the Trans-Siberian early on Sunday morning to be greeted by members of the French community in Mongolia. Planning to truly experience Mongolia and Mongolian culture they are staying with a family in Ulaanbaatar. They also travelled to Khustain National Park to see the wild Prejwaski horses and stayed in a ger with a nomadic family on the Tuul River.
They arrive back in Ulaanbaatar this morning where Sacha plans to visit Narantuul Zuuk (Black Market) and explore the sights and sounds of the bustling Mongolian market.
This inspirational young boy will also visit orphaned Mongolian children with disabilities at the Lotus Children’s Centre in Bayanzrukh District to find out how these children live with their lives in Mongolia.
Sacha and his father will leave on the Trans-Mongolian tomorrow morning at 7:15. If you would like to support Sacha on his grand journey and wish him luck on his next adventure go say farewell at the Ulaanbaatar train station.
You can find out more about Sacha on his website: www.voyagedesacha.fr
Comments
Post a Comment