Make-A-Wish Surprises Plymouth Girl

Tuesday was an eventful day for 3-year-old Leilani Davis of Plymouth. That’s thanks to Make-A-Wish Minnesota. The afternoon was chock full of fun surprises for the girl known as “Lei Lei,” who has a congenital heart defect and is waiting for a transplant.

“She’s been through a lot,” said Jocelyn Davis, Leilani’s mom. “But she’s a fighter.”

Leilani learned that wishes can come true.

“She will be finding out with all of her family here that her wish has been granted and she will be heading to Disney World next week.” said Meg Lewis of Make-A-Wish Minnesota. “I don’t think she has any idea that this party is waiting and in store for her today.”

Leilani and her family are ecstatic about going to Florida and seeing “the most magical place on Earth.”

“She cannot wait to meet Moana,” Lewis said. “She has talked about this a lot and I think she is going to be very surprised when she finds out her wish has been granted today.”

“Leilani’s never been out of town before. She can’t fly,” Jocelyn Davis said. “She loves the Disney characters and she loves Moana.”

Full of Energy

In three years Leilani has proven to be resilient, overcoming more than most of do in a lifetime.

“After her first surgery when she was six months she actually flat lined twice and got brought back to life within 45 minutes,” Davis said. “She has what her surgeons say is half of a heart.”

Despite her condition, Leilani has more energy than Xcel, the energy company.

“If you look at her she has more spirit than anybody in the room,” Davis said. “Go in our room and she will lift you up.”

“She runs around,” Lewis said. “Her mom says she’s a ‘little firecracker.’ She just likes to keep up with her siblings.”

Make-A-Wish’s Powerful Impact

Make-A-Wish gifts can have a powerful impact on kids and families.

“What I love about it is that it gives the opportunity to really focus on a positive thing when families are going through really difficult time,” Lewis said.

“It’ll be our first time not having to worry about getting poked or pried or having to take all the different medications,” Davis said.

Leilani and her family leave for Disney World next week. The excitement of the trip is building up.

“It means everything to me,” Davis said. “I’m so grateful for a place like this.”

Plymouth