Charlotte likes to surround herself with all things pink. SheBԪַs smiling when sheBԪַs eating waffles for breakfast or popcorn and gummies as a snack. She enjoys singing along to her favourite movies or gleefully dancing.
CharlotteBԪַs chronic lung disease required several hospital stays and a dozen surgeries. Her older brothers, twins Kayden and Kaleb, were constantly worried for their little sister and wanted to know when sheBԪַd be coming home.
BԪַCharlotteBԪַs medical journey has been quite something for our family, and for herself,BԪַ said CharlotteBԪַs mom, Alicia. Part of CharlotteBԪַs treatment regimen includes 40-minute breathing exercises once a day and taking medication to keep her airways open and strong. BԪַHaving a sick kid, you sometimes lose sight in life and become so consumed,BԪַ she added. BԪַYou have so many tears of worry and stress.BԪַ
CharlotteBԪַs special wish was to visit her favourite theme park in Florida five years ago, when she was three-years-old. The family stayed at Give Kids the World Village, a non-profit resort. Alicia said the whole family packed their bags and left behind their routine of doctorBԪַs visits and stress. The week-long trip was their first family holiday away from home.
BԪַWhen we were in Florida, I didnBԪַt see Charlotte as a sick kid,BԪַ Alicia said. During the trip Alicia was constantly overcome with tears of happiness and joy which she hadnBԪַt experienced in years. BԪַIt was remarkable and unimaginable; I had feelings I havenBԪַt felt before of what it was to feel like a normal family.BԪַ
At the resort, Charlotte and her brothers started every morning with waffles and sprinkles and were treated like BԪַroyalty.BԪַ Charlotte also surprised her parents when she rode a therapeutic horse. Her mom joked that Charlotte was always terrified of cats, dogs and butterflies, but she rode the same horse three times and wouldnBԪַt get off!
Once home, Charlotte returned to treatment for her chronic lung condition. Even five years later, Charlotte still talks about her wish experience that brought so much light into her life.
BԪַMagic truly does exist and IBԪַm so glad we got to experience it as a family,BԪַ Alicia said.
Your support helped grant nearly 1,000 life-changing wishes last year, but our need remains great. A child is diagnosed with a critical illness every 20 minutes. With three new children facing critical illnesses each and every hour, the need for is continuous.