PORT Macquarie teenager, Tanisha, was the lucky recipient of a unique wish in October and it was all thanks to the Starlight Foundation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The foundation grants about 500 of these wishes a year which includes travel wishes, hero wishes and gift wishes designed to promote wellbeing and increased happiness for a child.
But it was her experience wish which put a smile on her face that mother Bronwyn had not seen too often before.
Tanisha suffers from a rare genetic disorder where she stopped growing before birth which requires her to be tube-fed and use growth hormones.
"No one else suffers from it in the world," Bronwyn said. "It just makes it really difficult to deal with at times because we can't really ask anyone if there's something we're not sure about."
The 15-year-old was taken onto the set of Play School before spending time with Sydney City LAC and then received a DVD of her day for her to relive whenever she wants.
"Play School has always been the one constant in her life and she also loves RBT and Highway Patrol and the police were more than happy to help. We can't thank them enough for what they did," Bronwyn said.
"When she was with the police they broadcasted it on all their police radios throughout Sydney what they were doing and introduced Tanisha so that was great they did that.
"It was fantastic they also included (brother) Harlie because the siblings can be forgotten about in situations like this."
Tanisha's story is the most liked, commented on and shared story on the Sydney City LAC Facebook page in a day her mum described as a day for her to forget everything.
Bronwyn said the experience in Sydney stood out because it was unique.
"I felt she could have always gone to Dreamworld or Movieworld and I wanted it to be something I couldn't organise. We went into the green room at Play School and they gave us a DVD of her visit and she always wants to watch it.
"It just meant so much to her.
"The Starlight Foundation isn't just for dying kids and this wouldn't have been possible without their help; it was a little ray of sunshine."
Starlight is working towards a goal of raising $1.4million to help grant 200 wishes by Christmas, and are still 79 wishes away and those interested in helping out can visit the Starlight website.
paul.jobber@fairfaxmedia.com.au