Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ending, but you still have time to make your first gift in honor of the strength and resilience of our wish kids. It takes a lot of mental and physical energy to fight a critical illness, which is just one reason why wishes are so important for kids like Grace.

At 20 weeks pregnant, Grace’s mom had an ultrasound that revealed her daughter had a limb difference. Just 14 weeks later, Grace was born without hands or feet.

But she also had more serious medical needs. At only 4 days old, a pediatric nephrologist broke the news: Grace had multicystic dysplastic kidneys and was in stage 4 renal failure. With only 10% kidney function, doctors gave Grace a 50/50 chance of living until her first birthday. Grace and her family were in for a fight.

At 1-year-old, Grace weighed just 15 lbs. “When your kidneys don’t work, you don’t have an appetite,” wish dad Stephen explained. “She didn’t want anything to do with eating.” But something inside Grace wasn’t ready to give up.

Finally, just after her second birthday, Grace was eligible for a kidney transplant.

While Grace’s body recovered, the emotional trauma of tests and treatments took a toll. “Holding her down and seeing her screaming face … we’ll never forget that,” Stephen said. “She has no conscious memories … but she has subconscious trauma related to it.”

To address Grace’s emotional needs, the family sought help with a psychologist, who was the first person to suggest that Grace might be eligible to have a wish granted.

Inspired by past family trips, Grace quickly decided on a ski trip to the mountains! In February of 2023, the family headed for Breckenridge, Colorado. There, the entire family got to spend time skiing, tubing, and just enjoying their time together.

With a limb difference, Grace needed adaptive ski equipment so she could tackle the slopes. And although both Grace and her mom, Alison, are visually impaired, our WishMakers were able to give them both the VIP experience!

It was a chance for Grace and her family to reconnect and help heal. And every wish kid deserves the same. Please consider making a gift in honor of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week to help more brave, resilient wish kids like Grace fighting critical illnesses.

Wishfully, 

Make-A-Wish^®