A Tribute to my Karen Belle68 xx

[WDWMagic Forever]

Hello everybody i'm Karen's (Belle68) husband, i've joined this amazing community as i want to keep the MAGIC going for Karen and myself.
And this is a tribute to an amazing person that i was priviliged to be able to share my life with!
Karen sadly lost her fight against cancer on November 2nd 2008 she died at home with her family by her side it was a sad and sudden end to a very short life! we have a daughter Alice who is down syndrome and has autism and obviously as you can imagine quite demanding at times to look after, Karen worked tirelessly looking after her without much support from family members and various authorities the only back up she got was from me when i came home from work or at weekends and sometimes i must admit i underestimated her plight! but despite all this she soldiered on and always had a smile for everybody! consequently we were unable to go out much as a couple either because we were too tired or people were reluctant to baby sit but despite all this we stayed together really against all the odds we didn't want much out of life just each other! the one thing Karen really enjoyed the last few years of her life was the Disney Magic!!! i finally managed to get her to Florida in 2003 i knew she would fall in love with the place! and it became very precious to us and it was becoming an annual thing we did even though we couldn't really afford it! i managed to get her into the Disney community forums and i know she really enjoyed posting on here.
I know it's early days but i still can't believe she has gone! she really didn't deserve to die and she was so very brave! her one wish was that i look after Alice and not give her away and i told her before she died that i would continue to look after her in the way we both believed in! i have a long frightening road ahead of me! but i will do it as long as i can!
As i said before i want to keep the MAGIC going! as there have been times when i have been going off it because of whats happened and i will go back to WDW with Alice! we have a leave a legacy plaque at Epcot which reads GARY KAREN AND ALICE DISNEY MAGIC FOREVER and that's what it will be...forever!
And can i just take this opportunity to thank everybody on this forum for the kind words of support and help! you guys are amazing! and Michelle you are a true friend xx

And Karen you can rest now
God bless you
All my love
Gary xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[granmaz]

You are a very special man, husband and father. I'm so sorry for your loss, and I wish you all the very best for the future. You have many happy memories to keep Karen alive in your heart.

What a great idea to leave a legacy plaque.

 

[jen_uk]

Welcome to the Dis, if only it wasnt under such sad circumstances I'm so sorry for your loss, Karen was obviously an amazing women.

 

[jjk]

Gary, so sorry for your loss,wishing you and your daughter all the best for the future.

 

[higgy66]

Gary - what lovely words and sentiment. Welcome to the Dis board - I'm sure you will find lots of support on here - it's a magical place.

I wish you and Alice all the best and hope that you find lots of support for your journey ahead.

All the very best

 

[tennisfan]

I'm very sorry for your loss Gary & Alice. I wish you & Alice all the best for the future

I think it is a wonderful idea of the leave a legacy plaque.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Gary as a father of an autistic child I know how demanding it can be.
Everyone here can relate to your story.

This forum is a source of friendship for many and also the disABILITIES forum is a great resource and you will always receive support and friendship.
There are others like us who have disabled children to support so there are experiences to share from people in similar situations.
As Joshua gets older I am finding I am spending more and more time on there.

Best Wishes, Johnny, Julie and Joshua

 

[T16GEM]

Hi Gary, welcome to the boards, as others have said I wish that it was under happier circumstances. I hope that you can get back to Disney with Alice, the Leave a Legacy is a fantastic way of remembering the happy times that you all had.


Gems

 

[jns]

Hi Gary and Alice
what a lovely tribute to Karen
Thank you for sharing it with us

Welcome to the boards

 

[PoppyAnna]

Welcome Gary we all wish it were under happier circumstances.
How brave of you to post here. Your Karen sounds like an amazing, brave and strong Mother to Alice and Wife to you. She certainly came across as a bright, funny person in my eyes.
We are all on this forum due to our love of one thing. However, all our lives are different. I hope you are able to get more support from family and friends as your your life caring for Alice moves on, and I love the fact that you are aiming to get Alice back to WDW and see that plaque!
Very best wishes to you Gary, and Alice.

 

[WDWMagic Forever]

Thanks for the welcome everyone! it's nice to be here and Johnny Sharp it's real good to know i'm not alone! i will have to check out the dissabilities section, and Michelle thanks for you pm but i can't send you one back yet i think you have to have done 10 posts or something! nevermind, anyway we are all gonna have to get a U.K. meet going sometime! that would be very special! maybe in the Rose and Crown anyway gotta get back to work now

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for the welcome everyone! it's nice to be here and Johnny Sharp it's real good to know i'm not alone! i will have to check out the dissabilities section

You are never alone on the DIS and with autism there are many of us who share the same experiences.

Didn't want to post a 'hug' smiley, it's a 'guy thing' mate!

See you around and say hello sometime on the disABILITIES forum.

 

[natalielongstaff]

Welcome to the Did Gary

That is a lovely tribute

 

[Clare D]

Gary what a wonderful and touching post you have just written. You are very brave and Karen I am sure will be very proud of you that you have shown such courage and that you are now sharing in her Disney passion.
We are all here for advice, comfort or general chat so please never feel as if you are alone.
Sending you and Alice lots of
Clare x

 

[Minniespal]

Welcome to the Dis Gary. As others have mentioned it would have been nicer if it was under happier circumstances.

I never got a chance to know Karen better. That's my loss because she sounds as though she was a wonderful person.

The Dis is a fantastic source of information but it's also a wonderful, supportive place. Sounds as though Johnny is pointing you in the right direction with the DISabilities form. I've always found a warm welcome on whatever section of the Dis I post on.

Returning to WDW to see your Leave a Legacy tile sounds like a lovely idea. Also somewhere nice for you and Alice to remember and celebrate Karen.

 

[cherjp]

and welcome

 

[mandymouse]

Gary, so sorry for your loss. Sending you and your daughter lots of love

Mandy x

 

[Pinky166]

Thank for sharing such a wonderful tribute with us Gary. Karen will certainly be missed here.

The leave a legacy tile you have at Epcot is such a great way for you and Alice to remember all the happy times you had as a family at WDW. I am sure she will be smiling down upon you both as you make new memories in the future.

Finally welcome to the DIS, if you ever need advice, general chit chat, or just a bit of escapism then you will always be among friends here.

Claire
x

 

[DebIreland]

Welcome to The DIS Gary. That's a beautiful post. I think it's wonderful that you want to keep the Disney magic alive for you and your daughter and it will always be a place for you to celebrate your memories of your wonderful wife and Alice's mum. Post any time, be it in despair, anger, joy or excitement - the DIS is such a warm and kind community I know you'll find support here.

 

[Chilly]

Welcome, I'm sorry its under such sad circumstances. Karen will be missed on here. I hope you get back to WDW with Alice soon.

Karen - if WDW was heaven on earth you must be in a very special place now. Sweet dreams.