Addie's Princess Ball

At only four years old, Addie has already been through more hardships than most people experience in a lifetime. Before her first birthday, Addie underwent two heart surgeries and spent weeks cycling in and out of the hospital. Her frightened parents took their daughter back to the hospital for her third heart surgery at only 18 months old.

Through it all,  Addie persevered and continues her battle with strength and optimism. “We look at life so differently now,” said Patty, Addie’s mom. “We are grateful for every step she takes. Even with all of her time in the hospital,  she has never lost her spirit.”

Throughout what has felt like constant isolation and frightening treatments, Addie held tight to everything that brought her joy – especially her beloved Disney princesses. Addie loves to immerse herself in her favorite Disney stories to calm her anxiety and help her mentally escape from doctor appointments and medical procedures. She also loves to throw lively dance parties with her family and friends and sway to the beat of her favorite Disney songs.

When Addie learned that she would be granted a wish, her face lit up with excitement. After years of watching glamorous royal balls in her favorite movies, Addie  knew she wanted  to  host  an enchanted ball of her very own. “She loves  Disney  princesses and one of her favorite things to do with her friends and cousins is have a dance party ,” Patty said. “She just combined the two for the perfect idea of a princess ball.”

Thanks to Make-A-Wish ®  and generous donations from Disney, Addie was given everything she needed to dress up for the celebration of a lifetime. On her wish day, Addie wore a dazzling blue Cinderella  gown, excitement glowing in her eyes. Addie squealed with delight when she  was led to a grand white carriage that was pulled by her favorite animal, a unicorn! “It was magical,” Patty said. “Addie looked at me and said, ‘This is really happening – I’m a real princess!’”

After arriving at the royal venue, Addie was greeted by a sign that read, “ADDIE,” in glistening lights. She jumped into the air  and giggled with excitement when she saw that all her best friends and family members were waiting for her, dressed in their finest royal attire. Soon, Addie took her mom’s hand and gleefully skipped onto the dance floor. She spent most of her wish day twirling to her favorite songs and making priceless memories with those who love her most.

As the enchanted evening drew to a close, Addie’s loved ones made a toast to Princess Addie and all that she’s accomplished throughout her medical journey. Her closest friends gathered around her as they posed for pictures in the royal photo booth, beaming smiles lighting up their faces. Addie’s wish filled her heart with renewed  joy and hope for a brighter future.

“This wish means everything to [Addie],” Patty said. “To spend this evening letting her imagination come to life is something she’ll never forget .”

Together, Disney and Make-A-Wish have made more than 145,000 wishes come true over the course of their 40-year relationship, with every part of Disney — from its theme parks and Disney stores, to sports-themed experiences, to the television and movie studios — helping grant these life-changing wishes.