Jillian's wish on Good Morning America
Jillian’s wish takes her to Broadway’s bright lights
Jillian was first diagnosed with her heart condition at 14-years-old. Her limited cardiac capacity impacts her ability to experience normal childhood milestones, and her condition is known to significantly shorten one’s life expectancy. Jillian continues frequent periods of intensive treatment to prolong and expand her quality of life and allows her to do her best in participating in regular activities, like other teenagers. Despite Jillian’s diagnosis, she continues to embrace her situation with grace and her head held high.
Jillian is a multi-faceted girl with many different interests and a sweet personality. Her interests include a variety of different things pertaining to art, music, sports, video games and creative outlets. Jillian’s mom, Deanne, described how musical theatre has always been a “bright spot” in her daughter’s life.
"As young as like three, she was running around singing Annie," said her mom.
Jillian’s favorite Broadway shows included Mean Girls, Beetlejuice, Six, Waitress and Mrs. Doubtfire. Once she began imagining taking a trip of a lifetime to the Big Apple to see these incredible shows and talented artists, she had discovered her heartfelt wish! For Jillian, she loves "watching [musicals] come to life."
All the songs are amazing and the dancing, too, and it just fills me with joy!
Jillian
Marking her first time in the Big Apple, and at a Broadway show, Jillian’s wish included a performance of SIXX, a musical about the wives of King Henry VIII told with a pop music twist. Before the show, she was able to go backstage to meet the cast.
Jillian’s wish allowed her to feel like a shining star and experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – an experience she will remember forever.