Wish stories

When Penny’s mum, Stephanie, was 20 weeks pregnant, a routine scan revealed the shocking news that Penny would be born with a rare, complex form of heart disease, congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, along with ventricular septal defect.

“Penny’s been going through heart failure since she was four months old,” Stephanie explained. “She’s been on medication since her heart failure and at just seven months old, she had to undergo heart surgery. Last year, she had to have a big double switch operation and have a pacemaker fitted. She was doing really well initially but then her left ventricle declined, leading to more medication and having her pacemaker changed again.”

As a result, life has been a rollercoaster for the family, with lots of ups and downs.

“We’ve all struggled but she’s been a ray of sunshine throughout.” said mum.

Now six, Penny has started attending school full-time for the first time in her life, as her heart function has increased slightly, but that hasn’t meant the end of the family’s concerns.

Whilst the family was visiting Birmingham Children’s Hospital last year, Penny’s play therapist mentioned that she would be eligible for a wish. As Penny is obsessed with all things princess-themed – dressing up, make up and unicorns, to name a few! – she created her own unique wish to be a unicorn princess ballet dancer, where she could spend the day at a castle.

“She was so excited! I drew a calendar for her five weeks before the wish and she was crossing the days off every night before bed.”

On the day of the wish, Penny ‘transformed’ into Princess Penny when she woke up, wanting pink pancakes for breakfast!

“The hairdresser came and made her feel special – everything she did made her feel like a princess, including putting loads of glitter in her hair! Penny couldn’t wait to get her dress on and said we all had to dress up properly so my husband had a suit on and I had a ballgown on. We all looked amazing. My mum and sister had paid for a limo to collect us from our house and drop us off just outside Margam Country Park, where a horse and carriage was waiting to take us to the castle. Penny was beaming – she couldn’t believe she was getting to visit the castle!” shared mum.

Once they arrived, Penny was treated to afternoon tea at Charlotte’s Pantry with special princess-themed cups and saucers and visited by a fellow unicorn princess who spent time with Penny and her brother, Seb, colouring, dancing and blowing bubbles. Seb was also able to immerse himself in the magic of the day and spend much-needed quality time with his sister.

"The wish was so inclusive of Seb too. He was given a prince costume for the day and both Penny and Seb received gift bags when they arrived at Charlotte’s Kitchen.”

To round off the day, the family got to explore the castle grounds not normally open to the public, playing hide-and-seek, before heading home for an extra-special princess feast of pizza!