A YOUNGSTER with a rare genetic condition had a birthday to remember, with a bit of help from Mickey Mouse and his friends.
Seven-year-old Lincoln has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a genetic condition that causes painful fractures. As a result, many of his birthdays have been spent in hospital.
So to make his latest anniversary celebration extra special, children’s charity Make-A-Wish UK and Disney teamed up to make a dream come true.
Last autumn, he travelled to Hoar Cross Hall in Burton-Upon-Trent, the location of the Make-A-Wish UK Disney Wish.
Joining him was his Mum Amanda, Dad Matthew, and his two sisters Lily (15) and Annabelle (16).
During the two-day experience, they were able to immerse themselves into the universe of Marvel, Star Wars, Toy Story, Micky Mouse, Winnie-the-Pooh, as well as meeting Disney princesses.
It was a trip to remember for the youngster.
“I just loved everything about it, I got to meet Mickey Mouse and do my Avenger training,” he said.
Amanda also has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, and in December 2014, during her 18-week scan, doctors discovered that Lincoln had the condition too.
“I could see him having fractures in the womb,” said Amanda.
“I came out of the scan room and burst into tears. We thought up to then that he wouldn’t have it.”
Scans discovered that Lincoln already had five fractures across his body.
Due to his condition, Lincoln has had several surgeries with long recovery periods.
It was during his time in hospital that Lincoln’s family were made aware of Make-A-Wish UK, a charity that grants life-changing wishes to children living with critical illnesses. They received a referral from his community nurse and, before they knew it, his wish was granted.
But due to his condition, crowded spaces and long journeys would put Lincoln at risk of fracturing his bones, so heading to Disneyland abroad would be difficult. But the UK-based Disney Wish offered the family the opportunity to experience Disney without the risk.
“The wish was amazing, when the UK version came up it answered all the boxes,” Amanda explained. “There was nothing Lincoln couldn’t do.”
That includes Avenger and Jedi training learning all the moves from his favourite superheroes and Jedi masters.
“It was such a privilege to get to know Lincoln and his family while helping to grant his wish, and I’m so delighted that they all had an amazing time,” said Amelia Burnard, a Make-A-Wish employee who granted Lincoln’s wish.
said Amanda.
Recalling his trip to his nurses offers a welcom distraction for Lincoln.
“He was able to have his leg plastered without screaming – it’s his happy place,” Amanda said.
“He’s missed out on so much, but a Disney Wish gave it back to him,”
Lincoln was thrilled with the big adventure.
‘I’ll never forget it,” his mum said. “Seeing my family laughing with his children was amazing. I can’t thank Make-A-Wish and Disney enough. It meant the world to me, to see my family happy laughing and smiling. It will never leave us.”
To make wishes come true for critically-ill children like Lincoln, the charity relies on donations. These can be made from its website. For more details, log on to: https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/donate/make-a-donation to donate now
