Kids Wish Network grants wishes

A very special young man from Sweetwater, Texas couldn't believe it when her wish to meet George Strait came true, thanks to a children's organization in Florida called Kids Wish Network that grants wishes to kids with life-threatening illnesses.

An extraordinary Sweetwater girl recently experienced her ultimate dream come true thanks to a children's wish-granting organization in Florida called Kids Wish Network. Thirteen-year-old Daina, who suffers with a serious lung disease, couldn't believe it when her wish to meet her all-time favorite country crooner, George Strait, came true! This brave girl has been through a great deal in her young life and more than anything, Daina wanted to meet her idol in person and tell him what his music has meant to her during her battles with cystic fibrosis.

As a toddler, Daina was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a chronic and very serious lung disease. C.F. is a condition which causes the lungs to be clogged with a heavy and thick mucus that affects the patient's ability to breathe and often leads to life-threatening lung infections. Daina must endure daily breathing treatments using a percussion vest and she also needs oxygen at night. In 2001, Daina suffered a stroke as a result of complications from her condition and she spent 21 days on a respirator and also received 70 units of blood. "She is in 90 different ways a miracle child," said her mother, T.K. During that time in the hospital, T.K. and Daina's father, Michael, played George Strait cds for her.

When she was finally removed from the respirator, Daina spoke to her mom and dad about dreams she had had of an angel holding her and someone named George singing to her. T.K. and Michael realized that Daina was talking about George Strait. So, it was absolutely no surprise that after Daina was approved for a wish with Kids Wish Network, she requested just one thing: to meet her special 'Guardian Angel', George Strait.

Daina's wish coordinator, Madeline, quickly began the arrangements to make her wish an extra special one! She not only secured airline tickets to St. Louis where George Strait had a show scheduled, she also made hotel reservations for the family, arranged for some fun activities in the area, and most importantly, concert tickets and a personal meet and greet with Daina and her country hero!

On the night of the concert at the Savvis Center, T. K. said that Daina was rather anxious as she waited to meet George Strait. "She was a little nervous. She said, 'I don't know if I'm ready!'" However, when he walked through the door, T.K. said that Daina's anxiety immediately melted away. "He was so cute!" said Daina. "It was really, really cool!" T.K. was touched by how kind Mr. Strait was with her daughter. "He was just wonderful with Daina. I couldn't imagine anyone being nicer. And she didn't want to let go of him!"

This avid young horse rider also presented her idol with a cross fashioned from horseshoes. "He was pretty impressed," said T.K., who mentioned also that Daina gave Mr. Strait a Kids Wish Network Guardian Angel coin. "He said, 'I'm gonna keep this with me always,' and he put it into his pocket," said T.K. "To just see the joy in this child's face was amazing!"

Daina also spent time chatting with Mr. Strait, posing for pictures and giving him special items to autograph. "He was really wonderful," said T.K. "He spent time talking to her and just being with her. It was absolutely amazing. When we left, Daina was so excited. She said, 'I got to hug him twice!' It was so great!" After the meet and greet, the group settled into their seats for Daina's first ever concert. "It was rockin'!" she reported. "It was so much fun!"

T.K. said that her daughter's entire wish experience is something they will never forget. "The look on her face will be something I will carry with me always. Everywhere we went she was treated like a queen!" The family was also incredibly grateful to Kids Wish Network and Daina's wish coordinator, Madeline. "She was just wonderful. I can't imagine how much work she put into this. Madeline definitely went above and beyond. The whole trip went way beyond any of our imaginations! We are so thankful!"

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 813-891-9374 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at kidswishnetwork.org.