Aysha makes a splash
Thanks to you, this magical mermaid wish brought an incredible smile to Aysha's face
Miles from home
Jess was thousands of miles from home when her daughter Aysha, then 5, received the news that changed their worlds.
Living at the time in China, Aysha had been feeling tired and lethargic. The little girl who loved ballet was feeling flat. Jess hoped it was just a cold or flu. But a blood test found Aysha had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. “
You think, ‘is this serious, is this really happening?’ It was really hard to believe,” Jess said.
Aysha’s chemotherapy treatment started soon after she returned to Australia. Jess described the medical journey as “heartbreaking” and struggled to understand why her beautiful daughter had become critically ill.
It was sad for us. We are a normal family who just tries to do the right thing in life, but Aysha is resilient and would say ‘let’s get on with it and do what we have to do
Jess Aysha's mum
As Aysha became accustomed to her appointments, the caring little girl began to help other sick children.
She would often talk to other children in hospital and say “I was a bit scared before too, but it’s over quickly and you’ll be ok.”
Planning a Wish Journey
As Aysha got back on her feet, Make-A-Wish started to help her plan for her Wish Journey. Aysha had always been fond of mermaids and loved watching any shows about mermaids on TV.
“She likes their good nature, and is so fascinated by the half-fish, half-human thing, so she always wanted to meet a real mermaid,” Jess said.
While Aysha was waiting for her wish, Make-A-Wish created a fun and engaging storyline to help build Aysha’s anticipation and excitement.
An extraordinary mission for Aysha
Aysha received letters from the Magical Mermaid Society summoning her for an extraordinary mission. Mermaid Marina explained they needed someone who deeply felt and understood “mermaid magic” to recover necklaces lost by the mermaids.
On the day of her wish, Aysha arrived at the beach in a limousine. As she walked down to the water with fairy guardian Hannah, Aysha knew something was up.
“I said to Hannah, ‘something looks fishy!’,” Aysha said. “Then we saw the mermaids. They were washed up on the beach.”
Aysha got to know the two mermaids Marina and Serenity, helped them find their magical necklaces and even got her very own mermaid tail and wig. “I think she was in paradise because her wish came true,” Jess said.
When Aysha ultimately floated home that night, Jess said she was reluctant to remove her tail, or as she called it, “flippers”.
“She wanted to keep it on, to have a bath with it,” Jess said.
“She was still on a high the next day, wearing her wig and reading through the Mermaid Society letters instead of doing her homework.
I am so glad for Make-A-Wish – it gives children who have been through so much the opportunity to get a wish granted.
Jess Aysha's mum
Thank you!
Thank you for making wishes like Aysha’s magical mermaid experience come true. Your support makes an incredible impact.