I Wish to Meet…Cinderella

Wish dad Paul could not believe his eyes.  For the past week his daughter, Maddie, had barely been able to move from her bed and their Disney travel plans were in real doubt.  Fearing that the seven year old was too weak to travel, relatives and staff members created a wonderful Disney-themed party for her at the hospital.  A cake was included as well as a visit from two beloved Disney characters.

But Maddie had been promised a trip to the fun-filled Walt Disney World^® Resort and nothing was going to stop her!  Much to everyone’s amazement, especially her father’s, little Maddie climbed out of bed the very next morning, raced down the hall and started engaging in activities that she hadn’t been able to do for quite some time.  

 Maddie’s new found strength and determination was mostly fueled by a single goal:  to meet Cinderella in her castle and hand deliver two pictures she had hand-colored for the Disney icon.  Seeing the vast improvements in her condition, Maddie’s doctors permitted her to leave the hospital and before long, she arrived in Orlando along with her father and two brothers.  Once inside the park, her surge of energy continued.  “Let’s go! We are wasting time,” she yelled excitedly. 

As fate would have it, just as the family was exiting a haunted house attraction, the girl with a Sponge Bob bandanna covering her head caught the eye of a nearby greeter named Nancy, who told her that she was special.  “We are going to put some magic into your day,” Nancy decided.  The kind employee then arranged a meeting between Maddie and Cinderella for later that day!

This personal meeting was truly a dream come true.  After she presented her drawings, Maddie embraced Cinderella in a heart-warming moment that Paul will never forget.  “I couldn’t stop crying,” he said.  “This was absolutely the best time we all had ever shared together.”  The two continued to interact, while Paul snapped away with his camera.  The eventful day was topped off with some face painting with a design fit for a true princess. 

On November 26, 2006 Maddie lost her long battle with Ewings Sarcoma but her father knows that her wish experience was truly a miracle. The trip clearly made her shine with happiness.  “Maddie’s energy level and spirit were at full speed, with a consistent smile on her beautiful face,” Paul recalls.  Her inspiring story has taken on a life of its own and all those that have been touched by her magic will remember her simply by one special title -- Princess Maddie.          

Photos Courtsey of: Romain Blanquart-Detroit Free Press