Fearless. That’s how Kyleigh’s mom described her daughter as she watched her wade into the clear waters of a protected bay in Hawaii to explore the fish and waterfalls.

It is a long way to Hawaii from her southern Illinois hometown of Paris, and after a life struggling with congenital heart disease, Kyliegh was miles from her every day medical worries during her wish, experiencing pure joy at the adventure of it all.

Kyleigh began struggling for breath shortly after she came home as a baby. Her mother Valorre, a nurse herself, knew something just wasn’t right and pressed for more tests. Doctors soon agreed and Kyleigh had the first of three open heart surgeries she would endure so far in her short lifetime.

“For a kid with half a heart, she has plenty of energy,” Valorre shared. Always a fierce and brave little girl, Kyliegh enjoys hanging out with her friends, traveling and anything girly. Her condition does put limitations on her activities, so she can’t always do everything she wants, especially if the weather is too hot. A family friend suggested Make-A-Wish and a social worker at the heart clinic agreed and referred Kyliegh for a wish.

Make-A-Wish volunteers were so thoughtful in every aspect of the wish journey and Kyleigh’s family soon became fast friends with the two local women. 
“We’re so grateful,” Valorre said of the wish experience. “It’s comforting to see her experience pure joy. Seeing the number of people that recognize and love your child is everything.”

Kyleigh has a special spirit and wants to help others by becoming a pediatric cardiac nurse someday. While she is doing well now, the possibility for further and more extensive surgery looms in the future. Until then, empowered by all the things she could do in Hawaii, she has convinced her family to plan more adventures to enjoy fully living in the moment.