MILLINGTON, Md. – A 6-year-old girl suffering from a life-threatening illness has her only wish granted through children’s charity, Kids Wish Network.

When she was born, Jessie was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome. This is a rare congenital disease whose symptoms vary greatly between individuals but commonly include a history of recurrent infection and heart defects. In her five short years, Jessie’s already endured three open heart surgeries, a surgery to insert a tracheotomy tube and suffers from a seizure disorder. She must use either a wheelchair or a stroller for mobility and is fed via feeding tube. In addition, Jessie was recently given her own service dog (named Riley), uses sign language to communicate and is ventilator dependant for 15 hours every day.

One day, while reading her local paper, Jessie’s mother, Julie Ann, came across an article about a young man named Marshall Hill who had his wish granted through Kids Wish Network before his unfortunate passing months later. The article was to raise funds for the charity in Marshall’s name. Julie Ann wondered if Kids Wish Network could help her daughter as well, so she decided to give them a call.

Once in contact with Wish Coordinator Jill, Julie Ann entrusted her with Jessie’s wish to visit all of the theme parks in Orlando, Florida. With the help of Wish Funding Specialist Doris and some outstanding sponsors, Jill arranged hotel stays, dinner reservations and, of course, tickets to every theme park for Jessie and her family.

“It was all so great! It couldn’t have been better,” said Julie Ann.
While in Orlando, Jessie and her family visited Sea World, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot Center, Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.

“She loved it all,” said Julie Ann of Jessie’s reaction to the atmosphere of the many theme parks.

According to her mother, Jessie woke up early every day without a hint of grumpiness and signed that she wanted to “go.” Every day, her parents would ask her where she wanted to go and every day she would sign back “More boats, Mickey.” It was obvious what her favorite experiences were and that she wanted more of the same. Even Jessie’s service dog Riley enjoyed himself.

Now that she’s back home in Millington, Jessie still wakes up early every day, signing that she wants to “go” on “more boats” and see “Mickey.” Even though she’s feeling a bit under the weather, Jessie cheers up at any thought of “the most magical place on Earth.”

Jessie and her family loved the trip so much that they’re planning on making another trip there, much to Jessie’s glee.

“It was perfect,” said Julie Ann. “We feel so blessed. We’re so thankful!”

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Jessie’s wish extra special: Fraternal Order of Police #110, Chesapeake City VFW Post 7687, Fair Winds Gun Club, Peoples Bank of Kent County, Compassion Partners, The Royal Plaza Hotel, Hampton Inn Fayetteville, Pirates Dinner Theatre, Wonder Works, Logan’s Roadhouse, Friendly’s Restaurant and Houlihan’s.

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org.

Living here in Florida you get a little used to the “sunny” weather. Lately, though it’s nearing the middle of November, the weather has maintained that “summery” feel. This distresses me to no end because, though I’m not a fan of cold weather, I would like to feel some crisp fall breezes to at least remind me that “The Season” is nearing.

While these thoughts are swimming (in trunks and sunglasses, no less) in distinctly warm pools at the back of my mind, I am talking to Wish Families who have come down from chilly places like Michigan to enjoy all the theme parks to be had in this state for their kids’ wishes. In our talks, they are constantly telling me how much they LOVE the weather here and how wonderful it was to wear shorts in November. A few families will even mention that they wish they could have brought the “nice Florida weather” back with them to their home states. I wish they had, too. I am very glad that the weather was a great break for them to enjoy their wish trips, but I can still wish for some semblance of fall weather before it freezes, can’t I?

Alicia
Editorial Department

McKenna had a fabulous time at Disney World this past week. Her mother said, “Her eyes LIT UP every time she saw a character!”

McKenna and her family enjoyed the accommodations, theme parks and many restaurants which sponsored her wish. Everyone treated McKenna like a princess. I would like to thank everyone for making McKenna’s DREAM COME TRUE!

As soon as McKenna arrived home she started a “change bottle” so she can go back in the near future!

Vanessa
Wish Department

Many of the wishes Kids Wish Network grants are wishes to go to Disney World. I recently returned from a trip to Disney World, and I had a wonderful time. Walking into Disney, I instantly felt like a little kid again. I can imagine now what a great time our wish kids and their families must have, getting to visit this magical place!

Melissa
Development & Donor Relations

Many people ask what our most common wish request is. Well, it’s probably no surprise that many of our kids want to visit the Florida Theme Parks.

In fact, it accounts for 38% of the wishes we grant!  It’s a great vacation for the entire family that includes airfare, accommodations, a car rental, tickets to several major Florida theme parks including Disney World, Universal and Sea World, meals and spending money.

We have hundreds of wonderful sponsors in the Orlando area who help us make these special wishes come true. They all deserve our thanks, but there are definitely a few that have reached the pinnacle of giving and deserve an extra big thank you. When you are in the Orlando area, look for our certificates and plaques on the walls of many restaurants, hotels, and attractions. You can be proud to know that you are supporting a business with heart.

Airtran flies many of our families to their Florida dream vacation at no charge to us. They are our “Guardian Angels” of the skies!

The beautiful Royal Plaza Hotel in the Walt Disney World Resort graciously hosts a great majority of our families each year. Not only do they provide them with deluxe accommodations, every family is treated like royalty from the moment they arrive. They may even find a few surprises in their rooms!

Every one of our families is treated to a wonderful time at Wonderworks, an amazing hands-on museum that the kids just love! Here they can try on a real space suit, landing the space shuttle in a simulator or even experiencing an earthquake! Check out the wonder of it all if you are in town!

We always end our wishes with a celebratory dinner at a really fun, themed dinner show – Pirates Dinner Adventure! The food is really yummy and our wish kids are always picked to be in the show! The kids have a swashbuckling good time and it’s a great way to end their special vacation.

It’s no wonder that visits to the Florida Theme Parks are our most popular wishes!

So, if you are lucky enough to find yourself in the Orlando area, please patronize these great businesses and thank them for all they do to help our kids. Without them, we would not be able to do what we do.

Madeline
Wish Department

We had the pleasure of granting the wish of a lifetime to a little girl a little while back. Her parents recently sent us a letter telling us what a great time she had on her princess vacation:

Olivia’s Princess Experience

3-year-old Olivia, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, didn’t let her illness stop her from having the time of her life at Disney World! Olivia recently returned from her wish with smiles from ear to ear. She and her family visited many of the theme parks and of course all the princesses. It was such an honor planning this trip for such a precious little girl.

-Vanessa

Wish Coordinator

Here’s a lovely note we received from her parents:

We want to thank you and the Kids Wish Network for the best time of our lives. Olivia enjoyed every part of the trip. Some of the things she liked the most was the escalators at the airport, when the airplanes were landing, the plays and performances at Disney, meeting the princesses and being made into a princess at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique was the highlight of her trip as well as it was for us. Thank you again for everything.

Tony,Teri,Cameron

and Princess Olivia

This amazing little fire-cracker managed to keep the whole thing a secret, in order to surprise her three younger brothers. She made sure that they got to see and do everything that they wanted. I really believe that Carley is the true gift; to her family and to those who are fortunate enough to know her. She is an inspiration, and I am privileged to have been able to play my small part in making her Wish come true.

Jennifer (Carley’s Wish Coordinator)