Nicholas' Disney Wish

Covered in hot pink princess kisses, five-year-old Nicholas could not keep the huge grin off his face. He did not watch princess movies at home, but a day at Walt Disney World^® Resort, and Nicholas became enthralled with the princesses. Cinderella and Nicholas definitely had a connection. He gazed into her eyes as if she were the most delicious thing he had ever seen. The other princesses were just as enchanted with Nicholas and covered his face with pink lipstick marks.

When Nicholas had a medical crisis a few months ago, the medical team told his family that he would not come out of it, but he did. Doctors are unsure what his condition is, but Nicholas' brain matter is deteriorating. He cannot hold his head up or sit up by himself, but his mom says if he could move he would be like the character he gets such a kick out of, funny and animated Stitch. Nicholas' mother tearfully recalled looking around Give Kids the World Village and thinking, "If I were a child spending my last days on this Earth, this is exactly where I would like to be. Staying at Give Kids the World, everything was centered on Nicholas. We were the focus, not the minority. Positive attention was really good for us. It was nice to feel special instead of odd. It was a trip I don't think ever will be repeated. I'm sure it's the last family trip together… But there is something magical about going there only once, it makes it all the more meaningful."

Although Nicholas cannot communicate in words, his wide smiles transcended all language barriers to confirm his wish trip was a truly joyful experience.