Elevated Gatlinburg Adventures Bring Monumental Joy

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (May 2023): Kinsley loves being outdoors, and carries special memories of hiking with her family in Tennessee. Being surrounded by the beauty of Gatlinburg’s mountainous terrain filled her with wonder, and she longed to go back to her happy place. Kids Wish Network made it possible for this explorer with Pack & Go egift cards that her family could use for lodging, airfare, food and gas. They also provided her family with the means to cover incidentals for Kinsley’s dream getaway, along with fun extras like Domino’s gift cards.

Kinsley’s trip rekindled the magic she felt in the Tennessee mountains. “The weather was wonderful, and she had a great time,” said her mom Lisa. “I took Kinsley to Clingmans Dome where we were almost 6500 feet up. She was so excited that we were up in the clouds!” They did lots of hiking and sightseeing. One of the highlights was going to Anakeesta, a stunningly beautiful mountaintop adventure park where they even rode a mountain coaster. It was a very special time of family togetherness, creating monumental joy and treasured memories.

Even before she was born, doctors became aware that Kinsley had a large mass in her abdomen. Complications quickly escalated, and at two months old, she was rushed to the ER. Testing revealed she had an ovarian mass with torsion (twisting) that harmfully impacted one of her ovaries. She underwent emergency surgery to have it removed, and since the cyst is bilateral, Kinsley will continue to be tested to ensure it doesn’t spread into her remaining ovary. Before her surgery, it was also discovered that she had a hole in her heart and murmur. These health concerns are also being monitored to see if they heal on their own or require surgery.

Many Thanks 

Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Kinsley without the help of the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope. Visit www.kidswishnetwork.org to learn about our different programs.

Kids Wish Network has been making dreams come true for children since 1997. We are dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children experiencing life-altering situations. We started with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering from life-threatening conditions but have since created additional programs to benefit kids nationwide, including Hero of the Month, Project Toy Drop, Holiday of Hope Gift Banks, and A Child Forever Funeral Assistance.

Every kid’s wish is worth the investment because every wish changes a life.

If you would like to sponsor a child’s wish, or if you know a child who is suffering from a life-threatening illness and may be in need of Kids Wish Network’s wish-granting services, please call 727-789-0008.