Mariah is a cancer survivor who is now battling kidney disease. She lost her first kidney a few months after she was born and her second kidney in the last few years. She was on dialysis for some time, but she received a kidney transplant earlier this year. 

"I've always been a little more medically sensitive than other kids," she said. "I've always had more medications, hospital visits, and emergencies, but it wasn't until a few years ago that it started getting really bad. I had ER visit after ER visit." That's when she learned that her kidney was failing. 

Mariah doesn't want her illnesses to define her, though. "I'm not just a kidney transplant patient. I'm a writer. I'm a sister. I'm a daughter. I have plans for the future, and I'm not going to let my experiences hold me back. I'm not going to dwell on them. I think there is something to be said about perseverance and moving on."

Known for being quiet, shy, and private, Mariah enjoys drawing, reading, spending time with her dogs, and long walks in the mountains. Her favorite activity is writing and working on her fantasy-adventure novel, The Golden Heir: Dragon Slayers. 

The story follows protagonist Nakara who is sent out on a deadly quest to save the kingdom of Zenith by defeating the dragons that threaten her home. During her journey, she faces danger, betrayal, and heartbreaking loss, but discovers that she is the Golden Heir and more powerful than she ever believed. However, the dragons are just a small part of a deeper, deadlier evil from Zenith’s past. This book is the first of a six-part planned series.

When she learned that she was getting a wish, Mariah considered doing something with her family. During one of her conversations with Make-A-Wish® staff, she learned that getting a book published was a wish possibility.

"That's a really cool idea," Mariah said. "It could give me a headstart on my career as a writer. It was a blessing, definitely. That conversation started this whole process."

To get her book ready for market, she worked with author Ridley Pearson known for writing the Lock and Key series, the Kingdom Keepers series, and many other books. 

"He helped me fix a few things. He told me that I was pretty good on my own. He was a nice guy."

Mariah's wish came true officially on March 12 at the Well-Read Moose in Coeur d'Alene where she held a well-attended reading and book signing for The Golden Heir: Dragon Slayers. 

It was the first time that she saw her book in print. "I can't believe I'm holding it in my hands," Mariah said. 

Mariah is currently hard at work on the second book in the series.