I wish to go to Oahu
Hazel
4
metabolic disorder
How A Mermaid Inspired Hazel to be Brave
“I am strong. I am beautiful. I can do it." These are the affirmations that wish kid Hazel and her mom, Larisa, repeat every morning before school.
At only two days old, Hazel was diagnosed with a life-threatening metabolic disorder that impacts her entire body, particularly the liver and brain function. Upon diagnosis, Hazel and her family were immediately flown from their small-town hospital in Eastern Washington to Spokane for additional support. Within 24 hours, they were transferred to Seattle, another plane ride away, to receive additional treatment. Hazel’s family called the hospital walls their home for her entire first month of life. To this day, Hazel remains on a special diet, takes five daily medications, drinks three protein shakes, and is fed through a g-tube.
“She’s the one that keeps me going," said her mom, Larisa. "She is the most positive, most empathetic, nice, kind, loving little girl that I have ever met. She is so strong.”
Hazel has physical and developmental delays, which required her to use a walker as a toddler. She was determined to walk on her own, and after 6 months of using the walker, she succeeded. “We get so overjoyed with the little milestones that she catches on to because she is at risk of being delayed,” shared, Larisa.
One unforgettable milestone for Hazel happened while on her wish trip to Hawaii.
A few months prior to their departure, Hazel became obsessed with mermaids because of her love for Disney’s Moana and The Little Mermaid. Upon this discovery, Larisa reached out to her wish-granting volunteers to add a special surprise to her experience.
After Hazel arrived at her ultimate summer destination, she walked around the hotel property where she turned a corner to a private pool to find her surprise awaiting her: a beautiful Mermaid named Mariah! When Hazel saw Mariah, her jaw dropped, and she stood still, in shock from the excitement and nervousness of seeing someone she had only met in her imagination. “Is this real?” Hazel kept asking throughout the experience.
“I couldn’t help but cry, and her dad started crying,” shared Larisa. “We were super happy for her.”
While spending time with Mermaid Mariah, they swam in the pool and collected seashells and enjoyed every moment. Mariah inspired Hazel to do something brave – she swam underwater for the first time—a huge milestone for her. Watching her daughter conquer her fears, Larisa couldn’t hold back her tears. Hazel's courage and determination, inspired by her wish, made the moment truly unforgettable.
“It was just an amazing experience for our whole family to watch her wish come true.”
Larisa
In addition to meeting Mermaid Mariah, Hazel and her family got an authentic Hawaiian experience together. They swam with sea turtles, went snorkeling, attended a luau and spent quality time at the beach.
“It was a very special trip for her and our family. Thank you so much for our experience and our daughter's wish.”
Special thanks to Alaska Airlines, Enterprise, Sheraton Waikiki, Orchid Luau at Paradise Cove, Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, Mermaid Mariah, Make-A-Wish Hawaii and Wish-Granting volunteers Brenda & Henry!