Brianna's Disney World Wish

Brianna is a little doll, full of animation. She can usually be found swirling around in her electric wheelchair brimming with giggles. Brianna has spina bifida with a host of complications and often a great deal of pain. She is in a wheelchair and dependent on the ventilator on her chair for complete life support, like Christopher Reeve. She needs a nurse around the clock. Because of these challenges, and until she came to Make-A-Wish, Brianna had never even made a trip to the mall.

The complete accessibility of the theme park and of Give Kids the World, where our families stay in Orlando, gave her complete freedom to drive her wheelchair everywhere. Her favorite activity was just to go out "driving" via the joystick on her armrest. There were no barriers to her chair-no steps or curbs or obstacles. She could press buttons next to doors to open all the doors herself, and she was suddenly utterly independent. Joanne and Nathan, Brianna's parents, watched with amazement as she reveled in her newfound independence. And when they came home, they made small but significant changes in their home to make Brianna more independent. Even now, Brianna smiles with satisfaction every time she flicks a light switch, knowing that she did it all by herself!

Lea is Brianna's big sister, and at age seven very mature for her age. Very close to Brianna, she looks out for her with a wisdom beyond her years. Joanne reflected that the wish had worked magic for Lea too. "Before we went, Lea seemed burdened somehow. But then we went to Give Kids the World and she saw other kids with brothers and sisters just like Brianna. She suddenly realized she wasn't alone, and she seemed happier and lighter somehow."

As for Brianna herself, Joanne told us, "Nothing physically or medically has changed, just her attitude. She was so sick it had gotten her down, but since the trip she has been doing so well. It was the first time she got to be a kid instead of always feeling she has to be the strong little person just to get through life." That was just one of the small changes they have noted since their trip. Bigger still, and to the astonishment of everyone, Brianna is now in preschool four days a week, accompanied by her nurse. Her mom added proudly, "There's nothing she thinks she can't do. She told her therapists for the first time that she wants to walk, so they gave her braces so she can take a few steps at a time."

DisneyHand
Every year, more children choose a Disney wish than any other. These wishes are magical and wonderful in every way because of the generous partnership we enjoy with DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company. We thank them for providing complimentary admission and special perks for all of the families that experience a Disney wish.