By Megan Conroy
The Make a Wish Foundation has been making the dreams of children suffering with life-threatening illnesses come true since 1986.
Luckily for six year old Strabane girl Eilis Moore, who suffers from CHARGE syndrome, her wish became a reality yesterday when the Foundation built her a Bratz/Barbie house in her back garden.
Eilis, born with CHARGE Syndrome, has needed sixteen operations since birth. She is due to have another operation in the coming months.
CHARGE is an illness that affects nine in 10,000 children. The disease results in extensive and medical and physical difficulties. CHARGE is an extremely complex syndrome, Most children who suffer have hearing loss, vision loss, and balance problems, delaying development and communication.
One of the hidden features is the determination and strong character that children who suffer display.
Catherine Moore, Eilis' mother said, "Through every operation Eilis remained strong and courageous she bounced back. When she was a baby we were told that she may never walk.
"Eilis' strength has allowed her to live a life like other girls her age. Her bubbly personality and love of all things pink has helped her decide what she'd like. She first said she'd like a play park in our back garden. She changed her mind about that after some time really thinking."
The Make A Wish Foundation grants any wish whether its to fly to Disneyland or to meet your favourite celebrity. The Foundation believes in giving all families the touch of magic and joy that they need. They have made over 5,000 children's dreams come true and Eilis herself was chosen.
Catherine got in touch with the Foundation through the Internet.
Eilis, who attends Knockavoe school, was surprised to find on her return from school yesterday the surprise of her life. The Foundation built an exclusive Bratz/Barbie house in her back garden and arranged an artist to come and decorate her own little house with murals. And there was still more to come. Eilis and her family were then taken to Eilis' favourite restaurant, Murphy's On the Green. They travelled in style as the foundation booked a limousine to escort the family to the restaurant.
Eilis truly had a day to remember.
Catherine and her family would like to thank the Make A Wish Foundation for making their little girl's dream come true.
