“My baby is a warrior. She’s the definition of a live superhero. Literally since she was in my tummy, she has beat the odds.”

Before Xyla was born, her doctors told her mother, Valerie, that she might not make it. But both Valerie and Xyla never gave up hope. In fact, Xyla positioned herself in the one place in her mother's stomach where she could have survived. But Xyla was not even two days old before she began treatment for her kidney disease. She was immediately operated on and put on dialysis.

Throughout her upbringing, this was Xyla’s normal. She endured endless cycles of dialysis, tests, and procedures that made her scared and anxious. They left her exhausted and low-energy. Her activities were extremely limited, and Xyla was not able to play with other kids her own age while in treatment.

But you'd never know it if you met Xyla, her mom said. Her strength is nothing short of incredible. Xyla would wake up from a traumatic procedure and two hours later, she was smiling and making her family laugh. “She’s a testament that things can happen to you, and you can still smile… Her presence when she walks into a room—it’s instant. Her energy is just so rich and pure. My daughter gives hope. My daughter gives patience.”

Even during her treatment, Xyla’s personality was larger than life. “We call her Wednesday Princess,” says Valerie. She jokes that Xyla has two personalities—her “Wednesday Xyla” side, inspired by Wednesday Addams from the Addams Family, is sassier and more sarcastic. The princess side comes out when Xyla is feeling more “fancy,” playing with her makeup and dress-up clothes. She loves to play with her older brother and sister, who also pitch in to help their mother take care of Xyla’s health and distribute her medicine. “Her sister is her favorite person in the world,” said Valerie.

The entire family has been focused on ensuring Xyla stays healthy, which has meant little to no traveling since Xyla was born. The past year was monumental for Xyla and her health, as she finally got her kidney transplant!

Almost immediately after recovering from the surgery, Xyla was transformed. She had more energy, more color, and was more expressive. “Three days after her transplant, it felt like I finally got to meet my child,” said Valerie. For the first time ever, Xyla was healthy enough to go to the public park with her family and play with the other five-year-olds.

With new doors opened for Xyla and her health, she started to think about the endless possibilities she could choose for her wish! Almost immediately, Xyla knew she wanted to visit Walt Disney World during the holiday season.

Before the trip, Valerie was excited for Xyla to have an experience where she could simply feel like a kid for maybe the first time in her life. But the impact of her wish goes beyond Xyla—it was truly an opportunity for the entire family to turn the page to the next chapter.

“I think us going to Disney has nothing medical—nothing—to remind us of the trauma we have all endured. We’ve been there and gone through it," her mom said. "But [the wish] will give us a deep breath... It’s a breath of fresh air.”

And when the time finally came, Xyla’s wish came true in the most magical way. She got to meet her favorite characters, including Minnie Mouse and the princesses she had adored for so long. For once, life wasn’t about treatments or hospital visits—it was about joy, wonder, and being a kid.

For Valerie and the entire family, the trip was more than a vacation; it was a celebration of resilience, love, and hope. "Thank you guys for making my baby's dream come true," said Valerie. Xyla's wish marked the end of one chapter for her and her family, and the beginning of many more memories to come!