Belle of the Ball
By Heather Redix
Nearly every little girl’s dream is to become a princess like Elsa, Tiana, or Belle. Their imagination transforms the ordinary into extraordinary and a regular room becomes a royal palace.
For many kids, a trip to Disney World is merely a dream. This dream became reality for Olivia Miller and this past fall, she was the ‘Belle of the ball’. It all began this past October when Courtney Smith, Olivia Miller’s nurse at AHEC All for Kids Pediatric Clinic, mentioned to Sandra, Olivia’s aunt and legal guardian, that she had a notion to nominate Olivia for the Kidd Kraddick Foundation’s trip to Disney World. Immediately, Sandra thought that it would be a great idea and agreed. “Courtney told me that she submitted Olivia’s name and not long after that, the Kidd Kraddick Foundation sent me an application to fill out and return. Around the beginning of November, they sent me a letter saying that she had been chosen. I told Olivia that she had been chosen and she was extremely excited!”
Once you meet Olivia, it won’t take long to figure out why the Kidd Kraddick Foundation selected her to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. At nine-years old, Olivia possesses a loving spirit and embraces all those around her. She’s the type of girl that never meets a stranger. “Wherever we go, she is always hugging and talking to people. She is very friendly and just doesn’t know anything other than love,” explains Sandra.
Each year, the Kidd Kraddick Foundation provides 50 chronically/terminally ill children with physical disabilities ages 5 to 12 and their families an all-expense paid trip to Walt Disney World® in Orlando, Florida. Funding for this event comes from generous listeners of the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning Show, fundraising events, and corporate sponsors.
This trip includes a five-day vacation with all expenses paid, a chartered jet, hotel accommodations, park passes, meals, transportation, souvenirs and special visits from some of the most cherished Disney characters.
“When we got to Disney World we were elated! We stayed at the luxurious Swan Dolphin Hotel in the heart of the theme park. The hotel was so enormous that when we first arrived, we got lost! We were worried because the event had already started. Finally, we arrived at the celebration dinner just in time to see Rachel Platten perform ‘Fight Song’. We were even able to see Anna a few times!”
With a heart of gold, Olivia embodies the spirit of a warrior and her journey has not always been an easy one. As a baby, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and dysphagia. “She has overcome many things with the help of God, and He is continuing to allow her to overcome more,” says Sandra. When she was a baby, the family was told that she may never speak or walk. Despite the concerns, Olivia can communicate using some words and not only can Olivia walk, she can also run. She loves attending dance class and this May will be her sixth recital.
“Olivia is super smart and wants to excel in school. Instead of me reading to her, she insists on reading to me. She is just a blessing and I am happy to have her in my life!”
The Kidd Kraddick Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. In the fall of each year, they accept new recommendations for Kidd’s Kids trip to Disney World. To learn more about this organization, please visit www.kiddskids.com.
