When Darcie was little, her parents became concerned because she was not hitting development milestones like her older sister did. They tried many therapies, and eventually diagnostic testing revealed that Darcie had congenital muscular dystrophy. She was also diagnosed with epilepsy.

Since the diagnosis, Darcie has an extensive schedule of appointments and treatments that can be exhausting for her and her family. At one of their hospital appointments, a social worker introduced the family to Make-A-Wish and from there the magic began.

“I loved learning what Darcie wanted to do,” her mom Angela said about discovering Darcie’s wish. A longtime fan of Disney, Darcie loves learning about Disney history and the hidden jokes and messages in the Disney books, movies and games. Darcie’s wish to visit Aulani, A Disney® Resort & Spa would combine her love for all things Disney with an exciting island adventure.

Darcie’s favorite parts of the wish were meeting the Disney characters that are exclusive to the Aulani Resort, dancing at a luau and trying new foods like purple sweet potatoes. She was also able to feed the fish, attend a character art class and spend lots of time on the lazy river.

Looking back, Darcie’s family thinks the wish was important for many reasons, one important one being they were all able to relax and enjoy each other outside of their usual relentless routine.

“We had five days where we didn’t think about upcoming appointments,” Angela said. “Darcie came back relaxed and full of joy, telling everyone all about Hawaii.”

From the gifts and cards from Make-A-Wish volunteers during the lead up to her wish, to the special attention from the airline crew and exploring all the treats and wonders of the resort, Darcie’s heart is now full of wish memories to help her through the hardest times.

“She was happy and carefree for once and she smiled from ear to ear the entire time,” Angela added. “Her love for Disney was only more solidified, and she loved the ocean and putting her feet in. She was just so genuinely happy and worry free.”