It just goes to show, when you wish upon a star sometimes dreams really do come true.
Five-year-old Rosie Sanderson from Chacewater saw her dearest wish realised when she met a Disney princess thanks to the Starlight Foundation.
The charity grants wishes to children with serious and terminal illnesses.
Rosie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a severe form of cancer that typically occurs in young children, when she was just six weeks old.
The treatment caused a number of side effects, such as a weakened right foot and reduced growth, which means that this foot is four sizes smaller than her left. She has endured years of surgical and non-surgical procedures and also requires daily antibiotics.
Although she has had a very tough start in life, Rosie has been immensely brave. Her mum Vicky said: “Throughout all of her treatment Rosie has remained cheerful, positive and accepting of the necessary treatment. Her resilience has made us extremely proud.”
Rosie was referred to Starlight for a wish by one of her CLIC Sargent nurses and she was asked to decide what her dearest wish would be. Rosie loves dressing up as a princess and wearing her sparkly tiara, and she has always dreamed of meeting her favourite princesses in Disneyland.
To make her wish come true, Starlight arranged a magical trip to Paris for Rosie and her family just before Christmas. The family asked to go at this time as they wanted to celebrate Rosie’s first official ‘all clear’, which was a wonderful milestone to focus on.
Mum Vicky said: “Rosie has survived a traumatic and painful start to life, which none of us could ever have expected. She is an incredible little girl and it would mean the world to her and us to be able to celebrate her ‘all clear’ by having her wish granted in Disneyland.”
Before their trip, Starlight had provided Rosie and her little sister Mollie, aged three, with Disney princess dresses so that they could really feel the part.
The two little girls were accompanied by their parents Vicky and Neil on the adventure.
The highlight of the trip for Rosie was getting to meet her favourite Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. The family was even invited to a special lunch with the Disney princesses.
“Rosie had the very best time and as we were walking down Main Street she kept repeating over and over that she couldn't believe her wish had come true,” said Vicky.
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