subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Nov 23 2008 

Published: December 19, 2007 10:06 pm    print this story   email this story  

Kindergartner with rare disease gets Disney World wish granted

Amelia A. Pridemore
Register-Herald Reporter

Ryan Snuffer says his daughter Hannah’s middle name is Noel because she was born three days after Christmas. For her sixth birthday, she will be in Disney World.

Hannah, her parents and 2-year-old brother Luke will go to the Magic Kingdom on Dec. 28 on a trip provided by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The organization works to grant wishes for children who have life-threatening medical conditions.

Ryan Snuffer said his daughter has neuronal intestinal dyspalsia, a disorder that affects the nerves inside Hannah’s digestive system. The rare disorder, with which she was diagnosed at 7 months old, requires her to live on a mostly liquid diet and use of a feeding tube.

“This is an amazing moment,” Ryan Snuffer said. “It’s going to be right on her birthday and right after Christmas.

“I believe it’s symbolic. People should be giving year-round.”

Originally, Hannah wanted to meet Food Network personality Rachael Ray, but Ray’s schedule was apparently booked, Ryan Snuffer said. But one month ago, Hannah’s mother, Kellie Snuffer, received a phone call that was equally exciting for Hannah.

“Hannah was jumping up and down saying ‘Disney!’” Ryan Snuffer said.

Kellie Snuffer said she had the same reaction — jumping up and down as well.

“It’s a dream for her, and that is special for me,” she said.

“I want to say thank you. We all ought to be helping one another and people in need. It’s a lot to deal with, having a life-threatening illness in the family. If we all just shared and helped, the world would be a much better place.”

Ryan and Kellie say Hannah is a fan of Disney princesses and loves animals, noting they will stay at Disney’s Wildlife Lodge and visit Sea World. They expressed gratitude toward Sophia City Fire Department members whose building was used for Hannah’s wish presentation ceremony Wednesday; Hair Factory owner Sam Farley, who brought her pony Chucky to the ceremony dressed like a prince; those who donate to Make-A-Wish; and Kelly Cochran, the Make-A-Wish volunteer who worked to grant Hannah’s wish.

Cochran, a Beckley resident, said the main Make-A-Wish Foundation office receives individual children’s information, which is then passed on to volunteers like her. Her job is to basically find out a child’s heart’s desire and make it a reality.

“I am very excited for her, and I hope all of her wishes come true.”

— E-mail:

apridemore@register-herald.com

print this story   email this story  



Photos


Five-year-old Hannah Snuffer, left, of Beckley, and her mother, Kellie, right, pet a pony named Chucky Wednesday in Sophia. Snuffer will go to Disney World on Dec. 28 — a trip provided by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Snuffer was diagnosed with neuronal intestinal dyspalsia, a rare disease interfering with normal digestion, at 7 months old. Amelia Pridemore/The Register-Herald (Click for larger image)

monster
wheels

Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premium Jobs

MT / MLTS NEEDED IN WELCH
Medical Technologists or medical laboratory technicians. An opportunity exists now at Welch Community Hospital to become...>MORE

CHIEF OF SECURITY
CHIEF OF SECURITY. Republic Energy, a coal mining complex in Kingston, WV, is now accepting resumes for the position of...>MORE

MINING POSITIONS - BROOKS RUN MINING CO.
Brooks Run Mining Company. Running Right. “My dad and I both work for Brooks Run. And now my wife and I feel that Brooks...>MORE

INSURANCE CALL CENTER POSITIONS
The right atmosphere. Determination to win. Long term stability. Winning business. That’s what we’re committed to! We’re...>MORE

DINING SERVICE MANAGER
Dining Service Manager at Beckley Raleigh County Convention Center. Full time position. Responsible for overseeing front...>MORE

MINING OPPORTUNITIES - GUYANDOTTE ENERGY
Guyandotte Energy is accepting experienced underground mining applications. Stop by and learn about our new higher pay s...>MORE

CERTIFIED ELECTRICIAN & WELDER / PIPEFITTER - POWER MOUNTAIN COAL
Certified Electrician. Power Mountain Coal, a coal preparation plant located in Drennen, WV is now accepting application...>MORE

MINING PROFESSIONALS - KANAWHA EAGLE
Mining professionals needed. Certified Foremen, Equipment Operators, and Certified Electricians. Kanawha Eagle / Newtow...>MORE

MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Medical Assistant. Vaught Neurological Services, PLLC is seeking a motivated, hard-working, professional medical assista...>MORE

EXPERIENCED MINERS - POCAHONTAS COAL
Pocahontas Coal Company is seeking the following for our underground mines. * Experienced Mine Foremen, Experienced Roo...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Jobs

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index