Dog rescued from pipe
Photos of the Weird
Fun & Science Show at Kuss
LABEL TEXT
Little girl's special wish come true
Sunday, February 17, 2008
"How many Special Wish people can we get in one room?" laughed Sheryl Roddy of the Greater Springfield Area chapter of A Special Wish.
The question came as Roddy and a group of volunteers worked together in tight quarters to transform a little girl's bedroom.
Extras
The room belonged to 10-year-old Madison Stoll, who stood by watching the proceedings with divided interest. Her biggest concern was over where her television would go.
Madison is a tiny child who faces a mountain of obstacles including developmental delay, cerebral palsy, asthma, autism, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, growth retardation, speech delay, a compromised immune system and vision problems.
According to her mother, Missy Stoll, Madison is a child who continues to surprise. While her illnesses are serious, her prognosis is good.
"She's very happy," said Stoll. "Cognitively, I've seen her make huge changes."
Stoll is employed by the Montgomery County Head Start program. A single mother, Stoll stays busy caring for Madison and Madison's twin brothers Collin and Conner Stoll and older sister Caitlyn Snider.
Madison was recommended to A Special Wish by her physician, Dr. David Zainey.
Local business pitched in to make Madison's wish a reality. Ashley Furniture provided a new bedroom suite at a 50 percent discount. J. C. Penny donated bedding, pajamas, curtains, toys, and room accessories.
Among the volunteers were Clark Shawnee students Alissa Hedrick and Andrea Barnett.
Madison was not the only one getting a bedroom makeover that day. Sherry Adkins and Lisa Taylor, two mothers who's own children had received special wishes, raised funds so that 7-year-old twins Collin and Conner could also get a new bedroom.
"The boys were up at seven this morning cleaning," said Stoll with a smile. "They never clean."
A little overwhelmed by all the attention, Madison cuddled quietly on her new pink satin comforter. Clutching a "Dora the Explorer" doll, she peeked shyly at her surroundings as volunteers completed the finishing touches.
