Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
AKRON - Kayla Waddle's wish came true this month when she got to see the Dixie Chicks in concert at the United Center in Chicago.
Waddle, 17, a senior at Tippecanoe Valley High School, has suffered from a medical condition called mitochondria myotonia complex II syndrome since birth.
Kayla was diagnosed with the medical condition last September at Riley Hospital, Indianapolis, after undergoing a biopsy. The condition has left her wheelchair-bound and dealing with side effects including asthma and seizures.
Kayla had heart surgery when she was 4 years old, and had a heart pacemaker put in last November.
According to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Web site, the disease results from failing mitochondria, which are specialized compartments present in every cell of the body except red blood cells. Mitochondria creates more than 90 percent of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth.
"It has been a joy and a challenge raising Kayla and my husband and I wouldn't change it for anything," said Kayla's mother Jenny.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to critically and chronically ill children and young adults, granted Waddle her wish to see the group in concert. A child who has reached the age of 2-1/2 and is under the age of 18 at the time of the referral who has a life-threatening medical condition is potentially eligible for a wish through the foundation. A physician or family member must recommend the child to the foundation for the wish to be granted.
The Waddles heard about the foundation last fall from Terry Miller, a Make-A-Wish Foundation volunteer who visited the Waddle's restaurant, Waddle Sugar Shack, Mentone.
Kayla's parents filled out paperwork explaining Kayla's wish and medical condition last year and her wish was granted Aug. 15.
Kayla met the Dixie Chicks at the concert and spent time in their dressing room where they signed a Barbieª guitar she brought to the concert, gave her jewelry from their collection and autographed pictures.
Waddle attended the concert Aug. 15 with parents Phil and Jenny and cousin Chelsea Moore. The trip was for four days and three nights.
Kayla rode in a limousine to the concert with her relatives. She also received shopping and gas money as well as concert tickets for her, her family and cousin.
There were five Farmers State Bank branches that sponsored Kayla by holding a fundraiser to help raise funds to make her wish possible.
The branches included Mentone, Leesburg, Syracuse and two in Warsaw.
The banks kicked off a fundraiser at each of their branches June 3 and ended it the week before the family went to Chicago.
The fundraiser included a bake sale, raffle, craft sale, and building a wishing well where customers could make donations.
The banks also sold Make-A-Wish Foundation bracelets and allowed employees to wear jeans to work if they donated money.
The branches raised $2,800 and presented a check to the foundation to cover expenses for Kayla's wish.
"Having the opportunity to meet Kayla and her family was inspirational," said Kristi Manwaring, assistant vice president for Farmers State Bank.
"We couldn't have asked for anything more than seeing her wish being granted."
Kayla's parents and cousin said they also are thankful her wish came true.
"The Dixie Chicks treated Kayla like a queen and the experience of her meeting them was everything we could ever want for her," Phil said.
Jenny said she is thankful the foundation granted her daughter's wish.
"Her wish was to meet the Dixie Chicks so she knew they would be right by her and give her hugs," Jenny said.
Moore also said she was happy her cousin had a good time at the concert.
"Kayla and I have always been close and I could tell she was having a good time at the concert because she was yelling, 'party,'" Moore said.
For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation visit www.wish.org
