‘Dada’ and Tim’s trip to Lourdes: 'He'd leapt out of the wheelchair and was sprinting from the grotto, laughing with pure mischief'

‘Dada’ and Tim’s trip to Lourdes: 'He'd leapt out of the wheelchair and was sprinting from the grotto, laughing with pure mischief'

The French town is one of the world’s most popular pilgrimage destinations. Here, Paul Dunny writes about an unforgettable trip with his son, who has Down syndrome, and explains why the site offers a more varied experience than you may think

Paul Dunny and his son Tim at the Basilica of Our Lady in Lourdes

Our first adventure on our own together nearly ended before it began. Father and son – ‘Dada’ and Tim – were at Dublin Airport, ready to board a flight to Lourdes, when I realised with a sinking heart that I didn’t have our passports.

In the chaos of check-in, eight-year-old Tim, who has Down syndrome, was busy trying to ram the baggage trolley into an u