Carlee Vasquez sees more of the inside of the hospital than sheB次元官网网址檇 like.

The bright and talented eight-year-old who loves everything to do with music has multiple conditions that make being a B次元官网网址渘ormalB次元官网网址� kid difficult. She has both tetralogy of fallot B次元官网网址� a heart condition B次元官网网址� and diamond blackfan anemia B次元官网网址� a rare and incurable disease. Her complex medical life results in countless appointments across many hospital departments every month.

Small but mighty, Carlee has undergone two heart procedures to work on her heart defects, and will require more as she gets older. Combined, the two diagnoses have resulted in other related medical issues, like a cleffpalate, chronic lung disease, speech delay, and vision and hearing problems.

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She is followed by more than 10 departments at ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital and requires numerous appointments as part of her regular routine. On average, she has five to eight medical follow-ups each month.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 why stepping out of that routine for a short Disney-themed vacation was so important for Carlee, her dad Charles, sister Autumn and extended family.

In December 2019, the Vasquez family had CarleeB次元官网网址檚 wish granted to go on a Disney cruise B次元官网网址� right around the time she turned seven B次元官网网址� spending time with her favourite pair Minnie and Mickey Mouse.

Charles told Black Press Media that having this wish come true provided one word: hope.

B次元官网网址淢edical appointments, surgeries and these medical challenges, they become a routine and become part of the lives of families like us that other families donB次元官网网址檛 experience,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淕oing through the process of planning the wish, executing it, communicating with Make-A-Wish Foundation and getting the kids excited B次元官网网址� that entire process leading up to the wish is a big thing [brings] big hope for kids like Carlee.B次元官网网址�

Critically ill kids put on a Brave Face every day. Now you can, too, in support of Make-A-Wish.

Black Press Media and have come together to support children facing life-threatening conditions, and we invite you to join us in helping childrenB次元官网网址檚 wishes come true. !

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