Wish of the Week – Grace

By MWF/PIO
August 8, 2009

During her wish to be in her own original fairytale, 6-year-old Grace learned that even the most imaginative wish can come true. But her mother, Jeanette, learned something even more important: that a Make-A-Wish^® experience can restore a family’s hope and joy.

“A wish is a powerful thing,” Jeanette said. “I completely underestimated it.”

Grace’s Imagination Powers a Fairytale Wish

Grace is diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis, an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack blood vessels throughout the body. Each week, she must visit the doctor to combat the condition’s effects.

Still, Grace has a lively spirit with an imagination to match. Wish granters knew they’d have to be creative to make her fondest wish come to life. They weaved together elements from the most famous and beloved fairytales, crafting a day that would create thrilling memories for Grace. They also got her input on fantastic creatures she’d like to see in her personal fairytale.

Her wish began with a limousine ride to the Seattle Children’s Theater, where she met her fairy godmother. Grace received her own set of fairy wings as she took a prime seat to watch a customized stage production based on the children’s book Goodnight Moon. The cast even invited Grace up on stage; they incorporated a “red space giraffe,” one of the fantasy creatures she wished for, into the production and then presented it to her.

Seattle Becomes a City of Fantasy

And the experience just kept getting better: The cast invited Grace to an Alice in Wonderland-inspired tea party after the show. But she couldn’t stay long – she had to zip over the Pacific Science Center. A chauffeur dressed as a pirate took the wheel of a Candyland-themed golf cart to deliver her to the center.

There, Grace got to see amazing creatures – though they were all real creatures, they equaled everything she could create with her imagination. She learned about blue whales and enjoyed a private show in the planetarium.

Still, her fairytale day wasn’t over. At Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, Make-A-Wish^® volunteers and supporters were waiting for her arrival. They were dressed in animal hats, masks and costumes. Talented performers from the cast of Seattle’s Teatro Zinzanni also joined the fun, parading around like Grace’s own personal menagerie of circus animals.

The party continued upstairs in a private room where Grace, her family and friends enjoyed “space” strawberries and cake. A juggler, a face painter and even the Easter Bunny provided entertainment for the night.

Grace’s Joy Eclipses Her Illness

Grace’s fairytale day came to a close at a Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant in Bellevue. The entire staff wore fairytale-themed hats for their guest of honor.

Jeanette was moved to tears several times as she saw how enthralled Grace was during her wish. It transported them all away from the world of those difficult weekly medical treatments.

“Those moments were a million miles away and sharply juxtaposed to the thrill of the entire day,” Jeanette said.

Source: Make A Wish Foundation

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