A Sprowston schoolgirl is back home after jetting off to America for a once in a lifetime holiday thanks to a children's charity.
Lauren Saphir, who has cerebral palsy, was specially selected to join nearly 200 children from across the UK to spend a week in Florida courtesy of children's charity Dreamflight.
The youngsters visited the likes of SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens during an all-adventure tour of the Sunshine State.
The 12-year-old said: 'It was a very long flight, but we were treated like celebrities.
'There were parades when we arrived in America – we all got cheered.'
Dreamflight, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, organises an annual holiday for sick, seriously ill and disadvantaged children.
The charity sets out to inspire its young participants into achieving goals despite disability or illness.
Paralympic champion Liz Johnson was among those volunteers supporting the children.
The 29-year-old swimmer, who won gold at the Beijing games in 2008, said: 'I think the great thing about Dreamflight is giving children the chances they never had.
'It is experience for them, and they get the freedom to be children.
'We have the best volunteers in the world, so it gives the parents some reassurance. For the children, this holiday means they aren't singled out.
'Here, it is normal to be different.'
Lauren said: 'We went on all the rides, which was really good and a bit scary. One that I went on made me feel like Superman.'
The Sprowston High School pupil, who has mobility problems, added: 'It was the best experience of my life,
'You get to meet other people with other conditions so you don't feel so isolated.
'All the staff were really nice and supportive, they helped me with all the physio that I needed.'
Lauren's father, Justin, said that he was not worried about Lauren being away.
He said: 'When we heard about the one-to-one support she would get, all our fears went out the window.
'They are all volunteer doctors and nurses, it's just fantastic. We can never pay them back for that, it is superb what they do for children with serious illnesses and disabilities.'
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