A little girl and her Wish

[Miamakesawish]

Hi there. I want to introduce you to my little girl who recently was granted a wish trip to Disney World. She is beyond excited and has had a rough go for the past few years, but you would never know it from her sweet disposition.

I'll start at the begining. Mia was diagnosed in-utero with critical aortic stenosis. The cardiologist told me at 25 weeks that she would need a heart transplant when she was born in order to survive. This news was understandably devastating, and week after week she held on despite the doctors thinking she would't make it.

Immediately following her birth Mia was rushed to Seattle Children's hospital which would be her home for the next five months waiting for a donor heart to become available and giving her a chance at life.

After four months of clinging to life, we were given the news that a heart had been offered to Mia. It was the most incredible phone call of my life, and still to this day do not think anything will top the feeling of knowing I get to keep my daughter. After a month of recovery we finally got to take our little girl home and along with her brother and sister we could be together as a family.

Mia was transplanted and did phenomenally her first year post transplant. She learned how to eat and got rid of her feeding tube when she was one year old. We were frequent visitors to the hospital that first year often going twice a week for labs and check- ups.

Sadly, for the past three years Mia has been in and out of rejection. When she is in rejection our hearts are broken... when she is not in rejection she is a bubbly happy seemingly typical 4 year old.

We can't imagine life without her and she is truly in a joy in all of our lives, and I am just thrilled she is able to make a wish. Mia has an affinity for Minnie Mouse and her very favorite show is Mickey Mouse club house. This was the basis for her wish trip to Disney World.

The trip to Disney World is scheduled for October, and October couldn't come soon enough.

We have never been to Disney World before, or anywhere close to Florida. I would love any advice or suggestions you have for us. I know it is magical and would love to hear your experiences.

Thanks for taking the time to read about our Mia girl.

 

[cmwade77]

Definitely make sure you get a Guest assistance card, if this is a make a wish trip, I believe they automatically give one, but at any rate check in at the Disabilities forum as they will be able to best help you there.

Other than that, have lots of fun and take lots of pictures, a photo pass+ card might be a good idea as well.

 

[Miamakesawish]

Oh Great! I will do that. Thanks so much!

 

[meggiebeth]

I am so sorry about all of the trouble Mia has gone through, but I am so glad she is getting a Make a Wish trip to Disney world! You will all love it.
We met a girl who was visiting with Make a Wish and they had badges and stickers on saying 'make a wish'. I believe these meant cast members (Disney workers) would let them skip the queue on rides. I would look into this- although I am sure Make a Wish already has this covered.
The other thing as the other poster has mentioned is the guest assistance card. I would head over to the disabilities forum where they will hopefully be able to answer your questions thoroughly.
Have a wonderful trip and good luck to little Mia!

 

[Miamakesawish]

Ok, I will do that. I have just been spending the afternoon reading other wish trips. I didn't know about DISabilities. Thank you for the heads up. I have chills reading about other's experiences. I can't believe it is going to be us. Mia has been through so much, it will be a week of pure happiness. I still can't believe so many dreams have come true and I can read about them all in one place!

 

[ginerjenny]

How wonderful she was granted a trip!! Enjoy! Hope it is magical for her!

 

[maroo]

Hello!!

I put a link to your trip report on the Wish Trippers thread!

Are you guys going through Make a Wish? Or another organization?

Do you guys know where you are staying yet?

 

[Lilfoot93]

So glad Mia gets a wish My wish kiddo is a heart kiddo too. We use Seattle Children's also! Looking forward to learning more about Mia and her wish.

Jackie

 

[Miamakesawish]

Hello!!

I put a link to your trip report on the Wish Trippers thread!

Are you guys going through Make a Wish? Or another organization?

Do you guys know where you are staying yet?

Hi Maroo! Oh Thanks so much!! This DISboard is awesome. It is just a wealth of fabulous information.

Yes, it is through Make a Wish. Such an incredible organization. I know I don't even know the half of it because we haven't go yet, but so far I think they are all angels!

We are staying at a place called Give Kids the World. (GKTW) I am slowly learning all the abbreviations. From what I have read on other's posts we are gearing up for quite the experience.

Thanks so much for posting our trip. It looks like you do a lot of everyone on here! I was going to private message you a question when I was first posting, but didn't want to bother you. I eventually figured it out... now I'm embarrassed to tell you what it was.

Thanks again!!!

Mimi

 

[Miamakesawish]

So glad Mia gets a wish My wish kiddo is a heart kiddo too. We use Seattle Children's also! Looking forward to learning more about Mia and her wish.

Jackie

Hi Jackie!!

I love meeting other Seattle heart mom's. I always say that Seattle Children's is where MY wish came true! It is such a wonderful hospital. I love all the doctors and nurses there. I am off to read all about your wish trip. Thanks so much for posting here.

Is it ok if I just cry when I read a lot of these trip posts? Does this mean I am going to cry the whole time I am there?

 

[Lilfoot93]

I never knew what a wonderful place it was until Trevor showed me Yes. It is true that is where our miracles happened

I have cried on some of the posts too. We went to an event last weekend and I cried there too as some of the people were talking... I better pack lots of kleenex when we leave on our wish trip!

Jackie

 

[LindaBabe]

Mia's momma - I cry a lot on this board, and sometimes you just gotta step away.

You have mail - check your pm box.

 

[Miamakesawish]

Mia's momma - I cry a lot on this board, and sometimes you just gotta step away.

You have mail - check your pm box.

Oh my heart- I did step away today, but it keeps calling my name. I must read about all these incredible kiddos. So many miracle children! All in one place!

I just got the message... If there was a way to send a hug through the computer I would definitely be sending one to you!!

Mimi

 

[Miamakesawish]

Mia's Wish trip is going to be October 2nd!

I cannot wait. After reading all of the wish trips on here, I wish we could go tomorrow.

Now I just need to keep Mia extra healthy! It would be awful if she got sick and we couldn't go.

Thinking Healthy Thoughts!

 

[LindaBabe]

Healthy thoughts!

 

[maroo]

Hi Maroo! Oh Thanks so much!! This DISboard is awesome. It is just a wealth of fabulous information.

Yes, it is through Make a Wish. Such an incredible organization. I know I don't even know the half of it because we haven't go yet, but so far I think they are all angels!

We are staying at a place called Give Kids the World. (GKTW) I am slowly learning all the abbreviations. From what I have read on other's posts we are gearing up for quite the experience.

Thanks so much for posting our trip. It looks like you do a lot of everyone on here! I was going to private message you a question when I was first posting, but didn't want to bother you. I eventually figured it out... now I'm embarrassed to tell you what it was.

Thanks again!!!

Mimi

The DISboards is an amazing place! I have met so many friends on this board that have become true friends in "real" life - friends I call on the phone and many that I have met in person! It is really great!

Make a Wish is a whole bunch of angels!!!!

GKTW is an amazing place! I remember when I first came on the DIS - I felt like I was drinking from a fire hydrant! I would NEVER be able to read all of this or find my way around - and I have not read all of it (by far!)...but I did find my "place" and a few great friends along the way!

I do try to keep up with each pre-trip and trip report as you guys write them. My old job was such that I spent a lot of time on hold with nothing to really do and they did not care what we spent time on as long as the work got done - my new job is very busy every second I am there (job security!) - but no DIS time!

Feel free to PM me anytime!! I really don't mind answering questions at all! I am not on here every day yet - I am building up after being gone almost a whole year - but I don't mind answering PM's!

I never knew what a wonderful place it was until Trevor showed me Yes. It is true that is where our miracles happened

I have cried on some of the posts too. We went to an event last weekend and I cried there too as some of the people were talking... I better pack lots of kleenex when we leave on our wish trip!

Jackie

TOTALLY bring kleenex on your trip! And warn your kids that if you cry it doesn't mean anything bad - that you may cry happy tears - because ... man... wish trips are full of those moments! :

 

[Miamakesawish]

This picture is a year old... I guess it's time to get a new photo taken.


I thought I would introduce the rest of us… the band of characters that adore our little Mia.

Mia although I introduced her initially is both a little and a big sister. She fits in perfectly as both rolls. She is one loved little girl and here are the people that can’t get enough of her.

Sam, aka Sammer jam, Sam bone, Boney is our super active 2 year old that has a smile that can melt your heart. He is always on the go and as of late can read books all day long. He loves books! He is usually trying to keep up with older siblings and does a pretty good job. He loves music, dancing, and will snuggle me all I want as long as I am singing. He is such a fun kiddo and keeps us entertained pretty much all day.

Ellie, aka Elvis, Elle, Ells bells, ELMNOP, is our intense seven year old that is our little mother Hen. She is all girl, but would not think of being left out of any activity that the boys are doing. She is extremely nurturing and often takens over my roll as mother and does quite a good job of taking care of her “babies.” Her willingness to care constantly for the youngest two has come in quite handy from time to time. She plays hard, and does not stop moving/ pretending/ or dancing in her room until late at night. She is a fun girl, and keeps us all on our toes. Mostly she is Mia’s big sister and her relationship with Mia is very unique. She always takes care of Mia, and wants her to have the world. She even wants Mia to blow out her own birthday candles on her birthday. She is really endearing when it comes to how she treats Mia.

Jensen, aka Jense, Jense buddy, J, and J dog is the oldest of the littles. He will be 9 years old in a week and is our responsible, get it done boy. I don’t have to ask this kid to do anything twice. He is very motivated and works hard. He is also my little collector. He values everything…. and by everything… I mean everything. He has been known to hang the tags from his clothes, on his wall. He finds treasures everywhere he goes. He is very engineer minded and likes to take things apart and put them back together. He is a super reader and a great student. He is easy to please and a genuinely great kid.

John, aka John boy, JB, dad, daddy, dadd-e-o is a really hard working student. After Mia was born and we lived in a hospital for months JB decided to make a career change. He has spent this last year in nursing school. I think he is going to be a great nurse! I am so ready to not be students anymore, but am so proud that he worked hard and did a great job getting a different degree. He is a dedicated father and spends all the time he can playing with the kids. Oh and he is funny… really funny. He makes us all laugh and doesn’t let anyone get away with being “grouchy.”

Me, aka Mimi, mom, mama-is a stay at home mom. I love staying home with my kids, but I also thoroughly enjoy coaching a dance team. I do that part time, and love it as well. My days are everything you would expect… cleaning, cooking, driving, organizing, picture taking, hugging, refereeing, and then cleaning some more. I love my life and try not to let my trials get the best of me.

That is us- I think it will be really neat for my other kids, not just my wish kid to experience the magic at give kids the world. They deserve it as well, and I just cannot wait to see the looks on their faces when we get there.

The count down is on… can someone fast-forward to Oct for us? ☺

 

[rachel09985]

Your family is so precious. I hope Mia stays healthy so you can go on your trip for her. When you described the phone call that she had a donor made me cry. I can't imagine that feeling.

Looking forward to more!

 

[LindaBabe]

What a beautiful family! You guys are going to have so much fun at GKTW.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Hi .. another heart mom here !

Jayden is my wish kid and we got to take our trip this past April. It was A-mazing !!
GKTW was such an awesome place and I there isn't anywhere else like it !

When I first found out about our wish, I came here and read as many reports as I could and learned SO much about how it all works. I felt very prepared .. but it still couldn't prepare me all the way .. nothing can .. it's an incredible experience !!