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Cha

(312,079 posts)
9. Janiya Penny was so happy to get her wish she cried, she.. :) I can imagine it helps the kids
Sat Apr 12, 2014, 11:14 PM
Apr 2014

to fight harder..

snip//

Penny has sickle cell anemia, a life-threatening disease that often leaves her in excruciating pain. She was approached by Make-A-Wish almost three years ago. When they found out that she wanted to meet the President, they tried to get her to change her wish -- they just weren't sure they could make it happen.

Penny, however, was resolute, says her mother, Breale Gray.

"I'm his number one fan," Penny told HuffPost.

It all began in 2008, Gray told HuffPost, when Penny and her mother closely followed the election of the first African-American president. Although Penny was only 4 at the time, her mother says that she already had a sense of the significance of the historical moment.

They stayed up late to watch President Obama give his inaugural speech. Penny proclaimed that it was due to her wearing her Obama T-shirt on election day that the President was able to win.

Almost four years later, on August 8, 2012, Penny finally got to meet her hero.


Penny's mother, brother, and grandfather all came along for the ride, and when they finally reached the Oval Office, Penny wasn't the only one crying.

Penny and her family were given the V.I.P. treatment at the White House, with a complete tour of the grounds, pictures with the President, and lots of gifts.

"He gave her a signed book of the Constitution, that says 'Best Wishes Janiya, Dream Big' and special buttons and tokens," Gray said.

"He signed my 'J' hat and gave me a bag of M&Ms," Penny added.


The day couldn't have been any better for the little girl, who remembers being able to climb under the guard ropes at the White House, sitting on all the couches, and seeing the Lincoln Memorial.

Happy Tears!

Mahalo for the "empowering" information from Make-A-Wish~she~

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Mahalo for the Recs, Peeps.. nary Cha Apr 2014 #1
The little girl hiding her eyes is really cute. WhiteTara Apr 2014 #2
She was in tears.. Tears of joy! Cha Apr 2014 #4
I never fail to be amazed and pleased when I see photos SheilaT Apr 2014 #3
President Obama does have a natural gift of being able to Cha Apr 2014 #5
I suppose what stands out so much is that he is a president SheilaT Apr 2014 #6
This message was self-deleted by its author sheshe2 Apr 2014 #7
Wish Impact sheshe2 Apr 2014 #8
Janiya Penny was so happy to get her wish she cried, she.. :) I can imagine it helps the kids Cha Apr 2014 #9
Such a strong amazing child, Janiya. sheshe2 Apr 2014 #10
She's so cute! treestar Apr 2014 #11
I thought that was such a neat shot from Pete Souza.. all the grown up feet and Cha Apr 2014 #12
***smiles*** hopemountain Apr 2014 #13
Hey hopemountain! Mahalo Cha Apr 2014 #14
Thanks for the beautiful OP, Cha. IrishAyes Apr 2014 #15
Good to see you, IrishAyes! You're Cha Apr 2014 #16
I've been laboring in other vineyards, but will never leave DU or the BOG. IrishAyes Apr 2014 #17
I figured you'd be busy elsewhere or as you so colorfully put it.. Cha Apr 2014 #18
Well, he's surrounded by new sources influential than I could ever be; IrishAyes Apr 2014 #19
KICK for COOL! Cha Apr 2014 #20
Despite the machinations of his detractors & bashers, there's no doubt this POTUS has a huge heart! Tarheel_Dem Apr 2014 #21
We're Lucky to have him and we're also Lucky Cha Apr 2014 #22
Refreshing and so much better than this.... yuiyoshida Apr 2014 #23
MUCH better that that! Kath1 Apr 2014 #24
Hey Kath! Cha Apr 2014 #25
Lend a hand.. Cha Apr 2014 #26
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