ORLANDO, Fl.(June 2023): Journeying hundreds of miles every other week for essential medical treatment was the only travel that Willow had ever known. That was until her dream came true. Willow wished she could go to Disney to see Mickey Mouse and wave to him. It was time to start practicing her parade wave; Kids Wish Network surprised Willow with a trip to Disney World! Her wish went beyond her sweetest dreams with even more adventures atUniversal Studios and LEGOLAND! Her family experienced all the magic of Disney with 3-Day Hopper passes, giving them access to visit multiple parks in a day. They also received2-DayUniversal passes that her family could use for bothUniversal Orlando and Islands of Adventure courtesy of the theme park, and LEGOLAND tickets provided by Merlin’s Magic Wand.

Before heading back home, they soaked up Florida’s tropical side with a stay on Madeira Beach. Willow especially loved getting to see a baby sea turtle. Her wish was a very special time for her family to celebrate Willow with all the things that bring her joy. Kids WishNetwork purchased generous gift cards for their air fair and accommodations, and provided additional assistance for Willow’s once-in-a-lifetime wish. “Willow had the time of her life and a memory she will forever have!” said her mom Emily. “It was truly a dream come true, and we could not have ever made this happen. We are forever grateful!”

Willow’s childhood has been anything but carefree, coping with multiple life-threatening conditions. She has complete situs inversus with dextrocardia, meaning her heart is flipped and mirrored inside her body, and is also located on the opposite side of her chest. Her list continues with coarctation aorta, a heart defect with a narrowing of the aorta. She was also the youngest child in the nation to be diagnosed at 14 months with hypercholesterolemia, a condition causing high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Many Thanks

Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Willow without the help of Merlin’s Magic Wand, Universal, and the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope.

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.