I want to share this letter I received this morning...

[Beth]

I have a friend at work who had custody of her granddaughter, “Deanna.” Deanna was born with a very rare condition – she was born with no intestines. Her entire life, she was always connected to tubes. About 2 years ago, her grandparents committed to put her on the waiting list for a transplant. Eventually, they “got the call,” and Deanna and her Grandmother went to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami for the operation. She remained in the hospital for a few months, and was progressing fairly well. Unfortunately, her body developed a life-threatening infection, and they were forced to remove the organ. Deanna came home a while later, and entered kindergarten – which she enjoyed very much! Her health began to decline again, though… <br><br>
I had always wondered if anyone had ever considered “Make a Wish” for Deanna. But, as it turns out, “all” of the pediatric patients in the transplant ward were automatically put on the “Make a Wish List.” And apparently, some reps from Make a Wish even quizzed Deanna while she was there at the hospital about what she would like. Of course, her answer was “Disney.” But she also wanted to “ride on a big plane,” and “ride on a boat.” The Disney Cruise sounded like a sure fit, but, her grandmother suggested “not,” as she wouldn’t be able to get in the water, and she doesn’t consume food, so she wouldn’t get to enjoy that, either.<br><br>
Well, the wonderful folks at Make a Wish didn’t take the “easy way out,” as WDW is only an hour east of us – they arranged for her and her aunt and grandfather to travel to CA to “DisneyLand,” so she could ride on “the big plane.”<br><br>
They had a truly magical trip – from the limousine ride to the airport (she didn’t want to get out of the car – she was fascinated with having a TV in the car!) – to the hotel – to a “boat ride” off the coast, and on, and on, and on…<br><br>
Upon Deanna’s return, her health began to decline considerably. The doctors at Jackson insisted she return, even though no organ was yet available, as her liver was beginning to fail (thus the jaundice in the pictures.) While there, they were able to perform a transplant. They remained there for a few more months, and she was “up and down.” Unfortunately, though, she developed some internal bleeding that they weren’t able to control, and this brave, courageous little girl finally passed on. It was comforting to her grandparents that she was able to reunite with many of the little friends she had made at the hospital that had gone before her…
<br><br>
Anyway – Deanna passed this past May, and I’ve contemplated posting this story for quite some time, but I never found the right opportunity. I thought it was very appropriate to attach this story to this thread – to put a personal face to the wonderful things that this organization does for these little children. They, along with the Disney CM’s, truly treated Deanna and her family like royalty. I’m SO grateful they had this time together before she passed on. Thanks TennVolTony, for your contributions to this wonderful organization!
<br><br><br>This picture was taken on the plane.<br><br>
<center><img height=300 src="http://worldzone.net/travel/dvcmbr/deanna1resized.jpg"></center>
<br><br>Giving Mickey a picture she drew for him.<br><br>
<center><img height=300 src="http://worldzone.net/travel/dvcmbr/mickeyresized.jpg"></center><br><br>

 

[KimRaye]

Beth, what a bittersweet story. Teary-eyed and heart-warming all in one. Thank you so much for sharing Deanna with us. She looks just beautifully happy in those pics! God be with her and her other friends now.

{{{HUGS}}}

 

[TennVolTony]

Beth,

Thanks for the PM and for sharing your story about Deanna. I am glad Make-A-Wish was able to help her wish come true.

It is true that not all sick kids benefit from Make-A-Wish......They do have a referral process, but it is very simple. The potential wish kid has to be referred by their doctor, nurse or a social worker. The parents or legal guardian can also refer the child as well as the child themself.

Once the child has been refered to a local chapter and team of usually 2 Wish Granters will meet with the child and the parents to begin the process. So you see...it is a very easy task to get us involved.

My prayers and thoughts are with you and all of Deanna's family. I am very sorry to hear that she lost her fight. I am also very happy to know that Make-A-Wish was able to bring smiles to her beautiful face when she most needed them.........

Again...thanks for the PM and for sharing you r story.....

 

[Credit Man]

Wonderful post, Tony.

 

[yoopermom]

and pictures that bring tears to my eyes. Just a simple suggestion: feel like you don't "need" anything for Xmas? Tired of those boring old family name exchanges? Last year my extended cousins and I started writing this on our exchange slips "in lieau of one more "thing", please donate the money to X charity". Really made me feel good. God bless those children and the people who make their wishes come true...
Terri the Yoopermom