Seven-year-old Elaina is a brave, happy, and kind girl from Jackson, Wyoming. She’s not only a creative and artsy kid, but she’s thoughtful and supportive, often hosting cookie parties and other small gatherings for her and her friends. Her soft and sweet interior is protected by her tough exterior which kept her going after overcoming several obstacles at such a young age; obstacles that led her to wish for a trip to Hawaii which Make-A-Wish Wyoming granted.

At six months old Elaina was diagnosed with a rare type of eye cancer that kept her in and out of hospitals for nearly her whole life. The tumors in each of her eyes required Elaina to undergo a series of treatments including chemotherapy and surgery along with laser and freezing treatments. Though she lost most of her vision in her right eye, doctors worked hard to ensure the tumors and treatments would not affect the vision in her left eye. Through all of the treatment, uncertainty about her eyes, and long stays at the hospital, Elaina remained courageous and positive.

“Elaina has been in remission for about a year now. She’s been doing amazing and the doctors even consider her remission a breakthrough in her care. She is missing a whole chromosome which makes her vulnerable to any kind of cancer. So, she will continue to have hospital visits to be tested regularly for all kinds of things. She also lost her hearing from chemo, but her cochlear implant has changed everything for her for the better,” says Elaina’s mom, Cony.

During treatment, Elaina also lost her hair; however, it grew back thick and curly just like Disney’s Moana. As she watched her new curls grow, Elaina watched Moana on repeat as the movie had just come out. She related to Moana and their matching curls served as inspiration for her wish. Elaina wanted to see the ocean, the islands where Moana sailed, and most of all, to be brave like Moana who went to do something that scared her but did it anyway. So, when it came time for her wish, she wished to go to Hawaii to meet Moana and visit the ocean.

“We flew out of Jackson, and when we boarded the next connecting flight in Seattle that would take us to Hawaii, Elaina got really excited as the realization set in that this trip was actually happening. The airline also had a little surprise box for her with goodies and small, thoughtful gifts. When we landed in Hawaii, Elaina’s eyes were glistening. I had never seen that look in her eyes, she was so happy,” says Cony.  

Elaina and her family spent the week at the Aulani Disney Resort in Hawaii. On the first day, they met different wish families from all over the country who were also there for granted wishes. Elaina met other wish kids who were experiencing struggles and difficulties like she was – something that was new to her. As she talked and played with them throughout the week, she realized that she’s not alone in her struggles, and other kids have differences that make them unique, just like her.

“Elaina had struggled in school with some self-consciousness as she went through treatment. During this trip, she realized it’s OK for all of us to be different. She loved spending the week with other wish kids, building relationships with them, and understanding that though they all have differences, they have the shared experience of being diagnosed and going through things most kids don’t go through,” says Cony.

As the family enjoyed the special events hosted at the resort, Elaina’s dream came true when she finally met Moana. During the meet and greet with Disney characters, Elaina reveled in her time spent with Moana, Lilo and Stitch, and Mickie and Minnie Mouse. During her trip, Elaina and her family also enjoyed seeing the ocean, walking around the island, having breakfast with wish families, playing in pools and waterslides, visiting local shops, and hanging out on the resort’s private beaches. Plus, they enjoyed a pizza party, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and more activities hosted by the Aulani Resort.

“Elaina was brave like Moana, overcoming her fear of going into the water and now she is this fearless little girl. This trip changed her and her outlook on everything in life. After this wish, her self-esteem has just skyrocketed. She views her disabilities and differences as her superpower. As a family, this wish took away the pressure of everything we have been through in the past several years. It brought us together and gave space for Elaina to just be a kid,” says Cony.

If there is one thing kids can learn from Disney characters like Moana, it’s that our differences are truly our superpowers. Recognizing her own strength as a superpower, Elaina has become a mentor for other students at her school also going through difficulties, hoping to show them that their challenges and struggles make them stronger.

Kids battling critical illnesses around Wyoming are waiting for their dreams to come true. Help them feel the empowerment and hope that Elaina felt during her wish by getting involved or donating at wish.org/Wyoming.