Make-A-Wish comes to Yuma

In tonight’s ‘Making a Difference,’ we focus on a special young lady named Mercedes as she was granted a wish to go to the happiest place on earth.

The gymnasium was filled with middle schoolers this afternoon as it was a celebration of love. Not just because it’s Valentines day, but students and teachers all came together to honor this 12 year old girl. Mercedes suffers from “loeys-dietzs” syndrome, which is a disorder that affects the connective tissue in many parts of the body. Connective tissue that usually would provide strength and flexibility to structures such as bones, ligaments, muscles, and blood vessels. While recently she was scheduled for surgery, doctors have decided that the surgery is not in her best interest at this time. Her doctors reached out to the ‘Make-A-Wish’ foundation to grant Mercedes a wish of going to Disneyworld. Her mother Valene Draper explains how much the ‘Make-A-Wish’ foundation and Woodard junior high means to her and her daughter.

Mercedes and her mom will spend five fun filled days in Florida before returning to Yuma. Her mother shares that while the “Make-A-Wish’ foundation typically grants children’s last wishes, it is very possible for Mercedes to live a full life and that they are taking it day by day. When asked who she is most excited to see at Disneyworld? Her mother says, Lilo and Stitch and Gaston from ‘Beauty and the Beast’ are at the top of her list.

If you know someone ‘Making a Difference’ in your community, email Madison Kimbro at Madison.Kimbro@kecytv.com or go to her Facebook page @MadisonKYMA