This Traveler Took an Epic Trip to Hawaii After Spending 2 Months in the ICU—and Spent $0 on Her Hotel

Stella Shaun always liked to travel. After graduating from college in North Carolina, she moved to New York City to obtain a career as author in a major travel publication. But in August 2022, the life of a healthy 26 -year -old changed forever.

Shaun was diagnosed with Stevens-Janson Syndrome (SJS), a rare but serious disorder that affects skin and sticky membranes. After fighting symptoms like flu for several days, its temperature rose to 107 degrees. He suffered severe pain, and Shawn’s condition deteriorated so much that he was forcibly admitted to the hospital’s burn center.

“When I was in the ICU, my world was scattered together,” Shaun said. “I was blind for a couple of months, and parts of my body were so damaged that I came back to my normal life, letting hop on the plane again.”

Miraculously, Shaun survived the test, defeating the mortality rate by 30-50 %. Although he still has to visit the apparently never -ending ranks of the doctor’s appointments, chronic pain and uncertainty, the journey has once again become part of Shaun’s routine.

Eight months after he was admitted to the hospital, Shaun made his first big journey – which is an epic trip to Hawaii with his best friend. He said, “This journey felt like a claim to a part of its identity again. Able to go back to the journey, what I loved, showed me that I still can chase a meaningful life, even on different terms.”

Here is how he kept the hotel at points, and what made it so meaningful.

How did he book it

In March 2023, Shawn jet the ICU after his first big journey, and the air looked like the best destination. Not only was she not there before, but her best friend of almost a decade, Taylor Hubgad, had just gone to Honollo.

Shawn reminded, “Taylor was one of my many wonderful friends who spent the day with me in the hospital and helped his family as much as he had. He saw me the worst, and I could trust me with my whole heart to take things slowly, and look at some beautiful eyes.”

Shawn and Hobgd decided to meet Mao, with a stay in Hanna Mao Resort in Hait. Shaun booked the three night gateway using World Height Points-which is 30,000 of them every night. Hait assigns a category to each of his hotels, and he is consistent with a certain number of points. As Hait Category 7 Property, Hanna Mao Resort rooms require 25,000 to 35,000 points (in terms of season) each night. For context, at the time, Hannah Mao was receiving more than $ 800 per night.

Hait is a lot of hotel hotels in China, and its loyalty program often has high values. In addition to the Hanna Maoi, hotels like the Sky Open (or reopening) Park Hat Tokyo and Kibo Dale Civil can be booked with points like Park Hat Las Cabus.

Easily, two of the two best loyal programs in space are immediately transferred to the Heate Program from one proportion to the points and built-in rewards points-one proportion. Travel partners to transfer the chase or built -in points to you, you need to log into your account, visit the relevant travel portal, and select the option to move to Height. First Timers’ L’Lel, you will also need to enter the world of your heat account information.

How was the experience

For Shaun, the experience in Maoi was about to follow his love for a journey again.

“This was my first big journey where I had to carefully plan and pack medicines for an expansion time, but I conquered it, which gave me confidence to continue the journey on my terms.”

In Hawaii, Shawn says not a moment was taken, even though he sees the world, despite changing it. “Before I got sick, I always loved the beach holidays. I could only spend hours floating in the sea, was completely demolished. Now, my condition means that I can’t swim now, but there were many amazing things we had laughed yet.”

Shaun remembered how the property of more than 100 acres of land was integrated into the main town of Hana. Shaun said the hotel clearly felt as if it was a part of the community. “The food trucks are at your doorstep, and there is a hidden red sand coast.”

In addition, with the benefits of Heath Globalist – Advanced Status with the program – Sean was upgraded from the garden’s viewing room to the beach bungalow, which not only provided it and Hubgad more space, but also the view of the killer Ocean.

The dynamic pair went to an increase of considerable quantity near the hotel, run the full length of the road, and stopped on every food truck seen for garlic shrimp, pok, acryn and bananas.

“Most of all, this trip made me feel as usual that I did not feel from the beginning of my illness.” “The journey is no longer just a holiday for me. I see it as a proof of survival.”

One points for passengers and mile tip

Shaun advised not to be afraid to use his points. Its approach is not meant to be stored and stored over time, but instead get rid of it whenever possible. Points can unlock their experience more than their cash value. And unlike money, points do not appreciate it over time. Airline and hotel programs can reduce the value without any warning.

Most importantly, life is unexpected, so take it if you have the opportunity to turn the points into meaningful memories or healing moments. Shawn noted, “If any of it has a gift, I love to embrace a slow journey and take my time in search of a destination.”

These days, Shaun is a clear -speaking champion for SJS advocacy, and you can watch his Takk videos here.