I wish to go to Disneyland to meet Mickey Mouse
Katya
11
nervous system disorder
Katya’s fairytale
Just 26 weeks into Irina’s pregnancy, Katya and her twin sister, Alisa, were born prematurely. As the twins both grew, Katya's mother, Irina, and her father, German, noticed that Katya was not meeting her developmental milestones.
Katya's parents took her in for genetic testing, where she was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. The doctor' found that Katya was born with a CASK gene mutation, affecting brain development. This mutation causes her to be nonverbal, developmentally delayed, and motor-impaired.
Despite Katya's inability to speak, she communicates through facial expressions and making sounds, allowing her family to understand what brings her joy. She also learned how to use a communication device to express her needs and feelings in elementary school.
“She smiles and laughs when she’s happy,” says Irina. “She loves watching cartoons, especially Mickey and Friends, and Mickey Mouse is her favorite character. She sees contrasting colors of black and red the best, so she likes always having her Mickey Mouse stuffed animal with her.”
Katya with her Minnie Mouse stuffed animal that she likes to have with her almost everywhere she goes.
Due to her illness, Katya is wheelchair-bound and has frequent seizures, so she requires full-time care. Although Alisa stepped in at an early age to help her parents with Katya's care, the family still needed extra support.
Katya enjoying aqua therapy at the George Mark Children's House in August of 2022.
When Katya was nine, her doctor referred her to George Mark Children's House, a nonprofit organization located in San Leandro that provides medical and therapeutic care to children with critical illnesses.
"When we visited to try it, I was absolutely amazed by the staff and the care and attention they provide the kids," says Irina. "They have all these engaging activities and a swimming pool. It was amazing. It was the first time I felt my daughter was safe receiving care."
George Mark Children's House provides Katya with high-quality medical care and many wonderful activities, including music, art, reading interactive books, and interactions with service dogs and different animals. Katya's favorite is their aqua therapy with accompanied music therapy.
Shortly after Katya enrolled at George Mark Children’s House, her care team informed Irina about Make-A-Wish and referred Katya to the Greater Bay Area chapter. When Irina and German were told that Katya would receive a wish, they knew that meeting Mickey Mouse in person would be her dream come true.
"It was just so exciting," says Irina, "In the back of my mind, I couldn't believe it was happening to us. We've never been on a vacation as a family before. We just never had the capacity to do so."
Due to Katya's condition, medical needs, wheelchair and other equipment, the family felt safest taking a road trip instead of flying. When it came time for the trip, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area provided the family with a rental minivan, and the four of them hit the road to Anaheim, California, to go to Disneyland—the farthest the family ever traveled together!
Disneyland was perfect for her because she was finally able to ride the attractions like any other kid.
Irina
Katya's mom
During their stay, Katya took in all the sights and sounds of the parks and enjoyed the different motions of each ride. And she especially loved the evening fireworks show.
“It’s always been difficult for Katya to enjoy simple things like riding on rides or swings,” says Irina. "Most places don’t have secure harnesses where she can comfortably sit and be safe, so Disneyland was perfect for her because she was finally able to ride the attractions like any other kid. It was just amazing to see her experience that.”
Then, Katya met the character she loves so much—Mickey Mouse. “Mickey was so kind and gentle with her,” says Irina, “It was the sweetest moment, and Katya was so happy, smiling, with her favorite character whom she watched every day. Katya felt so special. This was the best moment of her life, and we will always have that memory.”
Katya meeting her favorite character, Mickey Mouse!
Katya's with her mom, Irina, and sister, Alisa, with Mickey Mouse.
Katya with her sister Alisa, enjoying the most magical place on earth!
Katya and sister Alisa meeting the characters from Toy Story.
Katya with her sister Alisa in the Disneyland souvenir shop!
Katya, her mom Irina, her father German, and her sister Alisa, with Disney princesses.
After their fun-filled week in the parks, they also visited Katya's brother Misha and his wife Bianka, who live in Ocean View City and enjoyed a few hours together as a family, admiring their new home. After returning home, Irina created a photo album of their wish experience. The family looks at the album and admires it daily.
“It was an absolutely amazing experience having the whole family together and enjoying our time, and seeing Katya so happy was special,” says Irina. “We would’ve never had this opportunity to go to Disneyland without Make-A-Wish and for Katya, it felt like a fairytale.”
Enjoy the heartwarming video of Katya's wish to go to Disneyland to meet Mickey Mouse!