Disneyland Resort and the Make-A-Wish� Foundation Fulfill A Unique Wish
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Earlier this year, Kate Fladhammer, daughter of Disneyland® Resort Firefighter Brian Fladhammer, had her wish come true. Kate, who along with her two brothers has been diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency disease, had a wish different from most – she yearned to explore the Resort’s Circle D Corral – a place where she knew she could see and interact with the many animals that live there, including horses, goats and Maggie the cow.
Through a special request made through Disneyland® Resort and the Make-A-Wish® Foundation, Kate and her family were picked up from the Disneyland® Hotel by a horse-drawn carriage and whisked away to spend the day at the Corral. Kate and her brothers spent several hours with Circle D Cast Member Maggie Gitchen, who gave the family a private tour. An avid horse lover, Kate went through each stall, petting and hugging each horse, and trying to learn all their names.
“When they were younger, we often would bring the kids to Disneyland® before their infusion to wear them out,” Brian Fladhammer said. “Other times we would bring them after their infusion, to celebrate another treatment. Without the treatment, Disneyland® would not be possible for my kids – due to infections and germs my kids couldn't fight.”
A Cast Member for two years, Brian Fladhammer’s motivation for joining the company revolved around the joy, peace and freedom that Disney represents for his family.
“For me, a man with 25 years of experience in emergency medical services, and as a firefighter, I was frequently reduced to tears because of the joy my children experienced at the hands of the Disney Cast,” Fladhammer added.
The Disneyland® Resort has been granting the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses since Walt Disney opened the park in 1955. In 1981, Disney partnered with the newly launched Make-A-Wish® Foundation to help grant the organization’s first official wish. The Disney Wish Program continues to make dreams come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions, annually granting more than 450 wishes at the Disneyland® Resort and over 5,000 throughout The Walt Disney Company.
-- Posted April 20, 2009