The "Make-A-Wish Trip To Disney World" Story

It was an ordinary day. Checking out the photos that Donya has sent to me of her family's recent trip to Disney World in Florida.  Donya is the remarkable mother of a newly turned five-year-old, Kennedy, who I have written about a few times on this site.  If you might remember, Kennedy was diagnosed at the age of 3 with a metabolic disease so rare that only eight other people in the world have ever been known to have it; and it is usually deadly.  

Kennedy on the left with sister Mia.

After months of searching, Donya was able to locate a doctor who examined Kennedy and recom- mended a liver transplant which was done and cured her of the disease known as S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase deficiency.  During the past year much has been written about this beautiful child and her medical problems and finally someone at the Make-A-Wish organization found out about it and made a call to Donya to offer her and her family a trip to Disney.  If you are not familiar with Make-A-Wish, it is a non-profit organization founded in the USA that arranges experiences described as "wishes" to children with life-threatening medical conditions.  

Logo for "Make-A-Wish"

The child's physician is the one who ultimately decides if the child is eligible.  Well, Kennedy's doctor approved of her receiving the "wish" so Kennedy, accompanied by her step-sister and mom Donya and step-dad Josh made a week-long trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  It turned out to be not only a trip, but a full-scale lifestyle adventure for the family.  They were picked up at their home in a limo and driven to the airport where Kennedy had the chance to sit in the cockpit of the plane and talk and touch the controls.  They had first-class seats and were introduced to the passengers on the plane just before take-off.  At the resort they were given a week-long room in the Make-A-Wish resort with all meals, tickets to Disney with a chance to go to the front of every line of every ride and have free photos taken whenever they wished.  They had the chance to meet every Disney character and a Princess arrived at their room at night to read a story to Kennedy as she went to sleep.  Amazing!  I have posted a few of the photos that Donya has sent to me, with her permission, so you can go along with the family as they had their "Make-A-Wish" trip of a lifetime.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

Mia and Kennedy get to ride in the limo to the airport ...

… along with step-day Josh and mom Donya.

Waiting for the airplane to arrive!

The airplane pilot watches as Kennedy prepares to depart.

The family at Magic Kingdom. 

Kennedy on the Magic Kingdom carousel.

Hi, Mickey!

Kennedy getting dolled up at the Village Spa.

Sisters looking at the stars in the Castle of Miracles.

Hey SpongeBob!!

Got some fancy Mickey Ears!

Kennedy and Mia are Snow White and Elsa at the Bippidy Boppity Boutique.

Kennedy enjoying a horseback ride at the Village. 

Hello Pocahontas!  You're so beautiful in person!!

The final photo shows the sky in the Castle of Miracles.  Close to the center of the photo you can see a white dot.  That dot is directly under the star that was placed on the ceiling in the Castle of Miracles for Kennedy.  Disney and Make-A-Wish sure know how to create a once in a lifetime memory for young children.