Lily, from Jackson, is eight years old and expresses herself through art, gymnastics, and a love for princesses. From collecting all the princess Barbie dolls to playing princess dress-up at home, Lily loves the magic and elegance that signifies a princess. With her eighth birthday approaching, Lily had one birthday wish in mind – for her wish granted by Make-A-Wish Wyoming to come true.

Born with infantile scoliosis, Lily had a severe malformation of her spine, causing a lung disease. This lung insufficiency meant Lily lived every day with oxygen and other challenges, and it also prevented her from growing at a normal rate. In fact, her four-year-old brother was about to outgrow her in height. Since birth, Lily has been in and out of hospitals, undergone back surgeries, and slept every night with assisted breathing.

“Her whole life, Lily has battled health issues and challenges. She’s been on oxygen, sick, struggled with limited mobility, gone through physical and occupational therapy, and has seen all sorts of specialists to help improve the effects of her condition. Just last spring, though, she had a surgery that was so successful it allowed her to come off oxygen for the first time in her life, greatly improving her lung condition. So that was an incredible milestone for her to achieve just months before her wish,” says Lily’s mom, Felice.

For her whole life, Lily’s body put all its energy into keeping her lungs and immune system functioning, which meant it put less energy into her growth. However, doctors and Lily’s family are hopeful that a growth hormone stimulation test will determine if she can begin treatment to help her grow. As plans were being made for her new treatment, Lily was ready for her wish to come true, and with a love of princesses, all signs pointed to traveling to Disney World for her wish.  

“Lily said her dream came true because she really wanted her wish to be granted on her birthday. Well, the stars aligned because her birthday was over spring break this year, and that’s when we went to Disney World for her wish. So, her wish came true and we celebrated her eighth birthday in the most magical place possible,” says Felice.

Staying in a villa at the Give Kids the World Resort, Lily and her family spent three magical days in Disney, two jam-packed days in Universal, and one sunny day at the beach. It was the first time Lily and her siblings got to see the ocean, which was truly the icing on the birthday cake.

The Magic Kingdom was Lily’s favorite, it provided her the classic Disney experience. Here, she rode all the rides she could, received autographs from every Disney character, and got a complete princess makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which happened on her birthday. After the makeover, Lily was given a birthday princess sash, which she wore all day over her beautifully elaborate Cinderella gown. People all over the park wished her a happy birthday as she frolicked around from ride to ride. To top off her birthday at the Magic Kingdom, Lily ate in Cinderella’s Castle, where all the princesses came to Lily’s table to talk to her and share princess stories.

“It was the most magical experience ever. Every part of the trip was so good. We loved every minute of it. I can’t even explain how incredible it was. It was life-changing for Lily and for us as a family. For eight years, we weren’t able to take a trip anywhere, you know, because we were working so hard to keep Lily healthy. She needed this so much, and we did everything we could there. When she met the princesses, she just lit up. She had the full-on Disney magic experience,” says Felice.

Lily is at her healthiest she’s ever been. Though she still has a long road ahead of healing and more treatment, her wish served as a celebration for overcoming the hardest period of her life. With the memories and joy of her wish to inspire her, it also marks the beginning of a new chapter, the part of her life where hope and growth lie ahead.

You can help Make-A-Wish Wyoming grant life-changing wishes for kids like Lily across Wyoming. If you know a child who is eligible for a wish, refer them to Make-A-Wish Wyoming or donate today to help make dreams come true.