Little girls have fun with their imagination when they play with a dollhouse, but thinking about a playhouse of their own really expands their fantasy world, and sometimes stepping into their fantasy is just what the doctor ordered. Pretty little Grace was a toddler when she stopped playing at toddler speed. Her doctor thought the lethargy resulted from a virus, and Mom recalls, “She just kept getting sick on and off” they finally ended up in Urgent Care when they were given the devastating news that it may be far worse than a virus. They later learned that Grace’s diagnosis was B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This was shocking and frightening for the whole family and their loved ones. They didn’t know what to expect, but they knew they had to be strong for their baby girl, and thankfully, Grace responded to the cancer treatment like a champ! Although she lost her hair, she didn’t lose her sweet personality and upbeat spirit, despite her 2 ½ years of chemo, most of which took place during the height of COVID, causing its own challenges. However, this close-knit family pushed on and gave Grace as many opportunities for a “normal” childhood as possible. Dad remembers the social workers at Children’s Hospital encouraging them to apply for a wish to make sure she could still live like any other child despite all the obstacles she faced. The urging worked, and they applied for a wish through Minnesota’s Own, Wishes & More.
Wishes & More met with the family to discuss potential wishes, and Grace had her mind set on one in particular. Grace’s mom describes her daughter as a “homebody, who is happiest around familiar friends or at home and in her yard,” so it made sense that her #1 wish was for a playhouse. She wanted a space to play dress-up and host tea parties for her grandparents.
In partnership with NARI Cares and J Korsbon Designs, Wishes & More excitedly provided a wish for a prefabricated playhouse customized with Grace’s color palette and whimsical accessories. Grace knew her wish would come true but didn’t know when. On a bright Spring afternoon in May, Mom made sure Grace would be out of the house for an overnight camping trip and the team of volunteers set to work creating an enchanting white English cottage, complete with dormers, pink trim, and flower boxes bursting with blooms – the perfect playhouse decorated for a Princess! Neighbors were thrilled to be involved and had pizza delivered for the work team so they could finish in time for the grant unveiling of Grace’s Wish-Come-True! The wish was enhanced with a visit from “Invite a Unicorn,” a Ham Lake special events enterprise. A sparkly unicorn was brought into the yard as a special guest for the unveiling!
When the family arrived, Grace shyly looked around while hugging her mom but was all smiles as she toured her new mini-house. True to form, she was throwing a pretend tea party and hosting her family and grandparents within minutes! “Oh my gosh, Grace, look at those little chairs!” Mom exclaimed. “I don’t usually get emotional or teared up, but yeah, it’s been a long two-and-a-half years, and just to be blessed with something incredible for Grace, it’s just amazing, really, really awesome.”
Dad’s text message after the party was also a testament to the impact of Grace’s wish, “Incredible day, wow. I’ll need some time to process this one. Unbelievable what you and your team did to bless Grace and us all. What a gift… we are so blessed.”
Wishes & More will continue to be in the background of Grace’s life and has set aside a Scholarship of Hope® grant as part of their programming. This grant will support Grace when she grows up and chooses to attend higher education. Volunteer President, Karla Blomberg, states, “I can’t wait to sign that check for Grace’s college of choice. She may have just begun preschool, but our Scholarship funds are set aside for her to use in about 13 years!” This unique program means the world to teens and parents of youngsters, proving that Wishes & More believes that they will successfully battle their life-threatening condition and come out the other side mentally stronger and ready to take on the challenge of higher education and a fulfilling career.
Minnesota Parent is proud to share stories from local wish families, like Grace’s, which inspire hope and showcase the power of a community of supporters!
Check out wishesandmore.org for encouraging stories and to learn more about this hometown charity!
