Carlee Vasquez sees more of the inside of the hospital than shesa国际传媒檇 like.

The bright and talented eight-year-old who loves everything to do with music has multiple conditions that make being a sa国际传媒渘ormalsa国际传媒� kid difficult. She has both tetralogy of fallot sa国际传媒� a heart condition sa国际传媒� and diamond blackfan anemia sa国际传媒� a rare and incurable disease. Her complex medical life results in countless appointments across many hospital departments every month.

Small but mighty, Carlee has undergone two heart procedures to work on her heart defects, and will require more as she gets older. Combined, the two diagnoses have resulted in other related medical issues, like a cleffpalate, chronic lung disease, speech delay, and vision and hearing problems.

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She is followed by more than 10 departments at Childrensa国际传媒檚 Hospital and requires numerous appointments as part of her regular routine. On average, she has five to eight medical follow-ups each month.

Thatsa国际传媒檚 why stepping out of that routine for a short Disney-themed vacation was so important for Carlee, her dad Charles, sister Autumn and extended family.

In December 2019, the Vasquez family had Carleesa国际传媒檚 wish granted to go on a Disney cruise sa国际传媒� right around the time she turned seven sa国际传媒� spending time with her favourite pair Minnie and Mickey Mouse.

Charles told Black Press Media that having this wish come true provided one word: hope.

sa国际传媒淢edical appointments, surgeries and these medical challenges, they become a routine and become part of the lives of families like us that other families donsa国际传媒檛 experience,sa国际传媒� he said.

sa国际传媒淕oing through the process of planning the wish, executing it, communicating with Make-A-Wish Foundation and getting the kids excited sa国际传媒� that entire process leading up to the wish is a big thing [brings] big hope for kids like Carlee.sa国际传媒�

Critically ill kids put on a Brave Face every day. Now you can, too, in support of Make-A-Wish.

Black Press Media and have come together to support children facing life-threatening conditions, and we invite you to join us in helping childrensa国际传媒檚 wishes come true. !

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