Holidays with a child with disabilities: why they matter more than you think

For many families, going on holiday means relaxation, spontaneity, and carefree days. For parents or caregivers of a child with disabilities, it often means the opposite: careful planning, anxiety, and a long list of “what ifs.” Outside the safety of home, where all care routines and medical devices are close at hand, every trip can feel like a mountain to climb.

Finding the right place is a challenge in itself. It’s not just about wheelchair access or proximity to medical services – it’s about creating an environment where the needs of the child with disabilities and their siblings can both be met. Often, activities are either too demanding for one or too simple for the other, leaving someone feeling left out. Even getting there can be exhausting – special transportation arrangements, the amount of equipment to bring, and the uncertainty of whether the destination will truly be ready for the family’s needs.

That’s why initiatives like Dr. Manuela Baumgartner’s “Intensive Week” in Lignano are so invaluable. Dr. Baumgartner is a specialist in pediatric and adolescent medicine who also leads the neuropediatric outpatient clinic at the Hospital of the Sisters of Mercy in Linz and has been running the Intensive Weeks project for over 30 years (glueck-schenken.at). She and her team created this initiative—organized voluntarily and funded entirely by donations—to support families of children with disabilities in a setting focused not on medical assessment, but on meaningful life discussions and emotional renewal (glueck-schenken.at).

7 days that provide a safe, supportive environment where children—both with disabilities and their siblings—are lovingly cared for by a dedicated, heartfelt team. Parents are given something they rarely have: uninterrupted time to reflect, share, and connect with others who understand their challenges firsthand. Read the testimonial from the Curic family, who joined the Intensive Week for the first time this year, to see the profound impact such a week can have.

Such a week is more than a holiday, it’s a lifeline. It gives families the strength to keep going and the reassurance that they are not alone on their journey.

If you want to help make this possible for more families, you can donate to support Dr. Baumgartner’s initiative. Your contribution isn’t just a donation, it’s a gift of courage, resilience, and hope for families facing extraordinary circumstances.

Gift special families a relaxing holiday
Donation Account:
Account owner: Ordensklinikum Linz
IBAN : AT55 3400 0000 0015 3411
BIC : RZOOAT2L
Raiffeisenbank OÖ

Please indicate in the “Reference of Payment” field when making your transfer: ACTION CODE: INWO (Intensive Week for families with disabled children) Since 2009, the Ordensklinikum Linz has been on the list of “approved charitable recipients.” Donations to the Ordensklinikum Linz to support the Intensive Week are therefore tax-deductible. Important: For your donation to be tax-deductible, you must include your full name and date of birth in the reference of your bank transfer. Thank you for supporting this meaningful initiative.