Gianna is a bright, sassy four-year-old from Casper who loves dressing up, painting her nails (and everyone else’s), and coloring. She’s your typical girly girl with a big personality and tough spirit. Born a bright, healthy baby, Gianna faced challenges just days after being born, yet nearly five years later, she’s been cleared to attend kindergarten, and Make-A-Wish Wyoming granted her wish to go to Disney World.

“We thought we were bringing home a perfectly healthy baby,” says Gianna’s mom, Shaley. “We were ready to take Gianna home to meet her big brother. Everything was perfect, until it wasn’t.”

At only four days old, Gianna began vomiting and was rushed to the emergency room. Doctors discovered a bowel obstruction and quickly arranged a life flight to Denver Children’s Hospital. Following their arrival, Gianna was instantly taken for emergency surgeries, and she was diagnosed with an extremely rare and severe form of Hirschsprung’s disease. She was missing the cells her body needed to digest and absorb nutrients.

“After the first surgery day, the doctor went on to tell us that Gianna wouldn’t be able to absorb nutrients, have bowel movements, or live without medical assistance. She told us that some parents at this point choose to take their children home and wait for the inevitable,” shares Shaley. “The emotions that flooded our bodies at a time like that were unimaginable. I remember hearing those words and falling physically limp. But it wasn’t even an option to go on without fighting for our baby. So, we told them to do everything they could to help Gianna.”

Gianna spent four months in the NICU and underwent multiple surgeries. She went home with complex medical needs, including a central line, feeding tube, and colostomy bag. Her parents learned how to manage every detail of her care, ensuring she remained safe, cared for, and loved. Gianna, despite all odds, proved her doctors wrong and is now a thriving four-year-old.

When it came time for Gianna to choose her wish, given her girly-girl persona, it was obvious she had to go to Disney World to meet all the princesses. Together with twelve of her family members, Gianna packed up and headed for Disney World over Christmas for a full week of magic. Gianna’s family spent three days at Disney parks and two at Universal, going from sunup to sundown each day. Gianna rode the Trolls-themed “Troller Coaster” over and over because she was finally tall enough and loved every minute (and how fast it went!). She met Anna and Elsa, Cinderella, Tiana, Ariel, Mulan, and many more princesses inside Cinderella’s Castle, plus special character meet-and-greets, including the Grinch and Poppy and Branch from Trolls.

“We had such a great time. The Make-A-Wish badges allowed us to skip the lines. Sometimes we were pulled right to the front just because the staff saw our badges and knew Gianna was with Make-A-Wish. But, one of our favorite parts was the fireworks show,” says Shaley.

The 15-minute firework show followed Mickey’s Christmas Party, which Gianna truly enjoyed. The party included a huge parade, a live show with Mickey, Woody, Buzz, Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and dozens of characters, and ended with the fireworks that left the family in awe.

Gianna and her family stayed at Give Kids the World Village in their own cottage, complete with bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. Along with many other wish kids before her, Gianna made a star that will hang on the wall at the village forever. Every morning, surprises were left at their door, and each night featured different parties and events.

Included in Gianna’s group is her great-grandma, Vickie Ujvary, a Make-A-Wish Wyoming Founder and Board Member Emeritus. Shaley noted that having so many generations together, including her grandma Vickie, who was filled with so much emotion, made the trip even more meaningful and special. It was a time Gianna could simply be celebrated and surrounded by her loved ones.

“It was the most amazing trip we’ve ever been on,” shares Shaley. “Everything was just perfect. We were all together, laughing, having fun every single day. But at the same time, it was kind of bittersweet. We’re so grateful for everything we got to do, but it also reminds you why you’re there and the incredibly difficult and scary stuff Gianna went through. Even still, we got to be a family and make happy memories for a whole week.”

Today, Gianna continues to defy expectations. Her central line, which initially presented so many challenges, is no longer accessed during the day, meaning she can finally do something her family once feared might not be possible: go to school alongside her big brother.

“Gianna is thriving. She has overcome every obstacle doctors said she wouldn’t. She’s been through more than most people face in a lifetime, but she’s so happy,” Shaley says.

Make-A-Wish Wyoming restores hope and helps make dreams come true for wish kids statewide. If you know a child eligible for a wish, refer them today for their wish to come true, just like Gianna’s.