I wish to dance with Prince Charming
12-year-old Sofia was born with Rett syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects brain development and means that she cannot speak or walk. But Sofia’s condition does not stop her from dreaming, and her family describe her as a wonderful little girl who loves fairy tales and the company of others.
When Sofia’s mother learned about Make-A-Wish through another mom she met at the hospital, she almost did not believe at first that she could make her little girl’s wish come true. With Make-A-Wish, Sofia and her family embarked on an extraordinary journey that led them to her wish to dance with Prince Charming. As her dad said, “finally someone was just taking care of Sofia. It was beautiful; an incredible feeling.”
Sofia’s wish involved so many people: schoolmates, teachers, parents of other children, volunteers, city institutions and many friends. Our young princess, put on a beautiful dress, got onto a horse-drawn carriage and arrived at the Grand Ball at the Barbieri Palace in Verona. Welcoming her, amidst a roar of applause, was her Prince Charming who took her in his arms to dance in a magical atmosphere, full of joy and celebration.
There is no limit to the joy a wish can bring. But we need your help to continue making wishes come true for children like Sofia. Please donate today.
Niamh Ryan is Senior Manager, PR and Communications at Make-A-Wish International, having joined the organisation in 2022 after 5 years at Make-A-Wish Ireland. Niamh oversees the organisation’s internal and external communications and looks after media relations and media strategy. With a background in digital marketing, she is passionate about employing the latest technology and trends to help more people learn about the life-changing power of a wish-come-true!