Critically ill girl visits 'magical' Disney event

A six-year-old Disney fan with complex health conditions was left filled with joy after she was invited to a special event for children too ill to travel abroad.

Ella, from Leicestershire, attended A Disney Wish, organised by Make-A-Wish UK and Disney, where she met princesses, Toy Story characters and watched a Frozen-themed show.

Her mother Hayley, said the event felt just "like you're at Disneyland", and the most special moment was when Ella watched a show based on the film Frozen.

"Ella was full of smiles," she said. "It was pure excitement and joy. It melted me. I couldn't believe how amazing it was."

Ella, who has been described as "happy, cheeky and determined" by her family, was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart condition before birth.

She then had surgery, but suffered complications which meant she spent the next 159 days in intensive care and had to relearn skills including sitting and eating.

She has since been diagnosed with global developmental delay, non-verbal autism, epilepsy and pica, an eating disorder where a person compulsively consumes non-food items.

But like many children her age, Disney characters and stories "play a huge role in her life and bring her great joy," according to Hayley, 40.

She said: "She enjoys watching Disney films, listening to Frozen stories on her Toniebox, dressing up as Disney characters and playing with Disney dolls."

Ella was among 200 children who were invited to the A Disney Wish event at Wotton House Hotel in Surrey.

Her family said it gave her the chance to share her love of Disney with other children facing similar challenges and experience something they never thought would be possible.

They took part in activities including a Frozen singalong, story time with Belle from Beauty and the Beast, a Pixar-themed play zone and Marvel-inspired training activities.

Jason Suckley, chief executive of Make-A-Wish UK, said: "Critical illness can take so much away from childhood.

"A wish gives a child the chance to dream beyond their illness and experience something centred entirely around them, bringing joy, freedom and precious time together as a family."

Hayley said: "We can't believe how lucky we are to have had such an amazing wish, so thank you so much."

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