| (Updated) Disney dream dashed |
|
|
|
| Written by JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN Sentinel County Editor | ||
| Tuesday, 17 July 2012 09:08 | ||
But as of last week, her dream trip was dashed. McKenna, of Haskins, will not be going to Disney with Make-A-Wish because her father doesn't believe the wish granting organization should spend money on children who are "cured." And since Make-A-Wish requires both parents to sign off on wishes, McKenna lost that opportunity to visit Disney. But McKenna's mom and grandma are now trying to get the little girl to Florida by a different route. They have placed collection jars at businesses throughout the county for donations to send McKenna to Disney. As of Monday, the family was still far from its $3,500 goal. Her father, William May of Toledo, said using Make-A-Wish money for a child who is "free and clear" of illness is an improper use of donations made to the organization. "I think it should go to kids who only have six months to live," he said. But Susan McConnell, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish for Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, said that McKenna clearly qualifies for a wish since she has gone through so much in her two-year struggle to beat leukemia. "The doctors are the ones who determine if she is qualified," McConnell explained. McConnell said it is unfortunate that the family yanked their request for a wish since the father wouldn't sign off. "She's been through a lot," she said of McKenna. "What I really feel bad about is she is stuck in the middle." Though Make-A-Wish requires signatures from both parents, there are a few exceptions, such as if a parent is unknown or cannot be found. In some cases, judges have intervened and granted authority. Wood County Probate and Juvenile Judge Dave Woessner said his court would consider issuing an order for the parental signature, but McKenna's mom and grandma were worried that even that order wouldn't be enough. So they pulled their request for a trip, and put out collection jars instead. "We have jars all over Bowling Green," said her grandma, Lori Helppie. "We're trying," said McKenna's mother, Whitney Hughes. "Obviously we're no where close to what we need." To save money, the family plans to drive rather than fly to Disney. "The important thing is to get her there," Helppie said. "She loves Mickey Mouse. She loves Cinderella." "She's really excited," Hughes said. "It's all she's talked about for the last three months." The mother and grandmother have no doubt that McKenna deserves the Make-A-Wish trip. She was diagnosed with leukemia in April 2010 and had her last treatment last month. During that time, she had 15 spinal taps to make sure the cancer hadn't spread, multiple chemotherapy treatments, skin burns and vomiting from the chemo, and steroid injections that compromised her immune system. She was hospitalized four times due to high fevers. She won't be ruled "cancer free" until five years after her last treatment. "I'm just angry after all she went through," Hughes said. McKenna's father went to very few treatments and doctor's appointments, and was just granted visitation privileges earlier this year, the grandmother said. Helppie said she is "outraged" that McKenna's father wouldn't sign off for the Disney trip. The father, however, blames McKenna's mother and grandmother for keeping him from seeing his daughter. "I wasn't allowed to be involved," he said. "It ticked me off." But May said his refusal to sign off on the trip is not related to his anger at McKenna's mother and grandmother. "It has nothing to do with that," he said. However, Helppie and Hughes question his motives. "He has made it such an ugly fiasco. It's not about him - it's about McKenna," Helppie said. "But he's doing this to get back." Hughes has tried to reassure McKenna that she will see Mickey and Cinderella somehow. "I just told her we were still going to Disney," - sometime, Hughes said. Anyone wanting to donate to McKenna's trip may send donations to 5/3 Bank, 275 South Main Street, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 (419) 354-9531 to the benefit account for McKenna May. Related: McKenna going to Disney World |
||
| Last Updated on Saturday, 21 July 2012 10:28 |
Front Page Stories
| Photographer finds picture perfect career 05/18/2013 | JACK CARLE Sentinel Sports Editor Elizabeth Lee. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune) A passion for photography ha [ ... ] |
Pemberville woman fights incurable disease 05/18/2013 | PETER KUEBECK Sentinel Staff Writer Karen Williams talks about scleroderma with her husband Charles at their home in Pemberv [ ... ] | Other Front Page Articles | ||



















Comments
You are so heartless so to unloving she wants to go ok please let her go let her have her come true please
And why would you deny your child, who has been deemed an appropriate candidate by a medical committee, the chance to go to Disney to celebrate he current healthy state? I hope this Mother is able to fund raise on her own and take her daughter to Disney. Sounds like Dad is unhappy HE isn't going to Disney.
THE FATHER HAS VISITATION- NOT CUSTODY. SO HE HAS MINIMAL RIGHTS TO MAKE DECISIONS AT ALL. WHY SHOULD THIS ONE COUNT? LET THE JUDGE OVER RIDE IT.
Interferring? Hmmm... First of all, free speech is not interference. Second, in the "whole scheme" it's all the little things that add up in life.....hmmm, let's see; a little time out to have really good time at Disney World and be a kid vs. a cancer victim with dad?!
so he stopped her because the mother was going house hunting and move there...guess what? Without the court she's not moving anywhere...so throw out the concern and put in the "i am the parent" game. 'I have rights"..blah, blah blah. No one is being fooled here. Wish they said if the "caring, adoring, protective father pays his child support, visits when (and whenever) he can. I wonder if he pays more than the court mandates and fights for more visitation...then lets re-evaluate.
This girl has suffered more pain in her 4 years than he has suffered his entire life.
TROLL MUCH?
I AM SOMEBODY to this girl-somebody who CARES.
The FATHER is a NOBODY; he sounds like a nobody, a real LOSER & so do you.
He shouldn't have any parental rights left, they should be terminated, he's so smarmy!
I'll tell you who we are to 'make judgments' human beings! I have every right to judge him, you, the president or GOD HIMSELF if I so choose. Who am I to determine WHO is selfish? Someone with an IQ greater than a peanut!
This is the most glaring example of petty vindictive cruelty on the lowest, most vile, sadistic & CHURLISH level that I've ever had the misfortune to HEAR OF.
YOU are # 2 !
You couldn't have picked a better screen name. It discribes your real identity, perfectly.
This man is no father.
WELL SAID!!! Sounds like anything will help. We are not a rich family but we ARE going to send something. All I have to say to her father is shame on you, we are here to protect our children not use them as tools in our petty arguments. Shame!
I had a friend who's father was never there for her and at her wedding she rented an official Mickey costume and did the father/bride dance with the best man wearing it because, as she said, "Mickey Mouse was there for me when I needed a daddy."
Whoever said that's what she looked forward to is correct and the caregiver as well. It was an awful two yrs filled with fear, sadness, anxiety, it's an emotional roller coaster that you just can't fathom until you go through it. Find a way for the sake of the child to work this out. If the daughter is close to the father he should be there too. This is not about the parents or the grandmother. Let's not forget that fact.
You are completely wrong about eligibility for Make A Wish. Please do your homework before you give your opinion. Eligibility qualifications come from the child's doctor and are based on the treatments the child receives; namely any child that endures 6 months or more of chemotherapy is eligible and the doctor sends his recommendation to the foundation. Leukemia is a terrible disease and this child has just started to fight. She is not "free and clear" of anything, she is in remission. She will be out of the woods at the 5 year mark and that's a long ways a way. My child was granted his Wish when his 2 years of chemo were finished and he was monitored every 3 months after that, low and behold, 2 weeks before the 5 year mark, it became active again. Leukemia doesn't give up.
The best we can do is send a donation and hope she gets there soon. :-)
Wrong! She very much qualifies for a wish! Make-a-Wish is for children with life threatening illnesses. Leukemia is definitely life threatening. I have a child that had cancer. The treatments themselves can kill and even if you survive you are at an elevated risk for other cancers and diseases from the treatment. Make-a-wish gives these children something to live for. I know in my case that not only did my child benefit, but the whole family's spirits were lifted and encouraged.
If Dad doesn't want Make-a-wish used, he should "man up" and pay for it himself (whether or not he goes with her).
http://www.gofundme.com/Make-McKennas-wish-happe
This is the problem with the whole damn system.I'd like to shake that mans hand for being the voice of reason; He knows that there are others in much greater need. He does not take from them. Taking from those that are truly in need is WRONG. Everyone that thinks he is wrong has no moral compass. If it were my daughter on the list and was ACTUALLY dying. I'd be pissed off that this kid went over my child who god only knows when I would have to BURY! I have tons of respect for this father. Give me 1 reason WHY anyone should move heaven and earth for THIS kid versus one who it is certain may not see another day?
There is no cure for cancer. Leukemia is a blood cancer. You have no idea what you are talking about and only expose yourself as an idiot for even commenting...
As a father of two daughters, this man is not putting his daughter first, ahead of personal feelings towards his ex...
If he had gone to the treatments and seen the needles and pain his little girl went through, he should of had been choked up and holding back tears, due to the pain his little girl was going through during the treatment.
As a father he should have sat in that room and held his scared little girl, and seen what he used to comfort her.I will guarantee you, if getting to see the Disney characters comforted her, he never would have made the ignorant statements he has made to take this away from her.
As, a father; this father is no father-
He needs to go to a Children's Hospital or Ronald McDonald House and Volunteer. Maybe then he will have compassion for his daughter.
Some things are NOT about you. Grow up. You are not man enough to be this little girl's father.
Raising funds to pay for a family vacation is nothing close to the wish experience a child with a life threatening condition will enjoy.
What a shame.
And sick and dying children come to Disney theme parks every year because of the generosity of the company. Who do you think funds these numerous Make-A-Wish trips.
The father is the one who should be ashamed of himself. He obviously wants to lash out at someone and he is choosing his daughter to be that one.
Even if Make a wish did honor the papers we could be tied up in court for months. It is unfortunately not that simple, although I wish it was.
Thank you for the site information. Rather than voice our opinions of little McKenna's father and possibly add to her grief (she may be reading our comments), donating to help her get to Disneyland would be a positive action. Or setting up a fund for her future even. Let's focus on the positive and help her go forward with a good attitude and with the knowledge that good does exist in this world and that she is part of it.
mygirl_isabella @yahoo.com i would want the same for my daughter if she was in your place.
Not sure what your motivation is but you will obviously bring in MUCH more money by getting this story out to the national media.
What are you going to do with the extra money? I would hope you would donate it to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
I'm afraid it is about $$$$.
Um the people from Make A Wish Foundation are QUOTED in the article confirming that the claim is true. Can't you read?
Apparently reading comprehension is not important to you.
Besides—accordi ng to the doctors, she isn't "cured". it says right there in the article, "She won't be ruled "cancer free" until five years after her last treatment." So for the next five years, she's still eligible, even according to Daddy's rules.
Oh, well, karma will take care of that.
Makes me nauseous thinking a parent would be that way to their innocent child who went through so much..
Going by this selfishness I can see why they didnt want you involved..
Both parents should grow up and learn to solve their issues without airing them on the front page of a public newspaper!
AMEN!
SHAME ON YOU. You call yourself a Dad & you are so pathetic ,arrogant & self centred to do this to your child. You don't care for or about her as this just proves it. You just being so pgheaded to punish a child like this. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF. ignorant man you are. There are not enough words to describe you
Mail that check to 5/3 Bank, 275 South Main St., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
If you want a receipt for the donation, just send a self addressed stamp with an envelope to the bank along with your check.
Could he not let his daughter have her wish and help donate to Make-a-wish after/in the mean time? This kind of action would show that he truly supports what Make-a-wish does.
And where does it say the father wants to fund the trip? Its the mother who is funding the trip with the help of others.
Instead of point fingers, maybe these blog-posters could contact the local news agency or police department and see how they can pitch in to send this little girl to Disney.
Yes she deserves a trip, but does is have to be at the expense of a terminal child who might not then get their wish?
CHILDREN, SORRY FOLKS, THE FATHER IS RIGHT.BUT......HE SHOULD BE OUT THERE SUPPORTING HER AND RAISING THE FUNDS TO GET HER TO DISNEY,GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY.
Make -A- wish grants wishes for children facing "life threatening" conditions, It must be approved by the doctor and the Make a wish folks. Giving her the trip does not keep any other person from getting a wish granted. If MAW approved her wish, then she is entitled to it!
Who are we to determine how ill a child with cancer even in remission is?
That "Dad" is never gonna send this child to Disneyland!! I just feel sorry that a child in this condition has a heartless "Dad". It takes much more than a title to be a real Dad... he definitely doesn't make the cut!!
Obivously you DID NOT read the entire article. That is the only excuse you could possibly have for posting what you did. She is not cured, her father has not been a part of her life up until this point, and he is not willing to fund the trip, nor is he trying to raise money for the trip - her mother and grandmother are. Please explain to me "what this man did was very unselfish". He should have to go through what his (by blood only) daughter went through. Mom should buck up and get the court order, and let her child go on the trip. They all deserve it.
Unfortunately, "Dad", needs some lessons on how to be a human being. I know the tug of war for children and visitation can get ugly, however, this story goes above and beyond any of that.
He really made me sick to my stomach. This little girl has been through enough, she should go to Disney, of course. And, for her Father keeping that dream from his little girl, makes him nothing more than a sperm donor. Not a Dad.
Mail that check to 5/3 Bank, 275 South Main St., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
If you want a receipt for the donation, just send a self addressed stamp with an envelope to the bank along with your check.
Gotta be someone out there in America that can pull a few strings and get a Disney trip for the girl, Mom and grandma...sorry Dad but you blew it and I think you should stay home. Oprah, Ellen, ABC, if you see this article do something.
It does state in the article that doctors do not and will not consider her "Cancer Free" for five years. Plus what the article does not say is that Make-A-Wish does not just go on a parents "idea" of what is terminal, they contact your doctors and those doctors have to agree that the child has a life-threatening medicial condition. If you look at the website for Make-A-Wish you will see you don't have to be "terminal" to be granted a wish. I feel that unless this dad is a doctor, he should be thankful for his daughter and whatever time she has whether it is days or years. Let her be a kid and be happy.
she is 31years old . no one give us tripp. I think if the little one who are not go to make it though treatment should get it the DR know who they are . The dr can told you in five to week if the treatment working . we had three year of treatment it was not fun . We will keep praying for all who have leukemia because I know what try go thought . A love mom ,grandmom .
Make a check out to 5/3 Bank for the amount you would like to donate. In the memo line, write the following: FBO McKenna May
Mail that check to 5/3 Bank, 275 South Main St., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
If you want a receipt for the donation, just send a self addressed stamp with an envelope to the bank along with your check.
This child needs to get her Make-A-Wish one way or another!
Are you saying your company will set up an account without fees?
Thank you!
My email is disneyfreak10@yahoo.com
I was deeply saddened by this story & will be sending a donation. I also emailed the Ellen Degeneres Show. I know Ellen has a big heart. Maybe she can help make McKenna's dream come true! :)
I volunteer for the Make a Wish Foundation and meet these wonderful kids. The process was originally based off the life threatening illness situation. Now that the medical industry has advanced so much, luckily many of these children survive. And it takes place after years of therapies and surgeries to a young child who just wants to play outside. It is about giving them 1 day or week to forget about the horror that they have to go through to rid their bodies of these horrible diseases. I'm curious to the child you speak of and the disease they had. If it was not a life threatening disease they would not have granted the wish.
I never stated anyone didn't deserve a wish. I'm stating there are those who are more in need than other, and MAW cannot financially grant all wishes.
Auto accident with full-recovery, and yes MAW did grant the wish.
Your daughter won't forget this, and will hate you when she is grown..How does that make you feel?
But sorry, not matching here as we just sent $50 :D
This girl's been through Hell and back, and she's not out of the woods yet.
Also, MAW doesn't just do "terminally ill" wishes, but they also do life-threatening illness wishes! If childhood leukemia isn't a life-threatening illness, I don't know what is.
Just send $50 ~ let's get them flying FIRST CLASS!!!
Read the national article - I supported the father (felt that he was hoping beyond hope his daughter would be okay and graciously giving the trip to an "ill" child since her wish (to be alive) has been granted.
Read the local article - I return my support for the mother and child. The father does sound vindictive towards the mother. If the Make-A-Wish people were aware of her successful treatments and were okay with her having the trip then it should be allowed.
Also, if neither parent was physically abusive towards each other, they should be encouraged to get counseling to learn how to better to communicate with one another in issues regarding their daughter (which hopefully they will have issues to contend with until she is 18 and beyond).
All I can sat to him is well, you know what, 'Daddy'? Karma's a bitch and you will get yours.
We are in a day and age where cancer awareness in ALL it shapes and forms is prevalent, and the info is there at your fingertips! This isn't something that is cured with a round of antibiotics, you don't JUST finish a treatment and find yourself good to go.
Keep your head up Mckenna, you are such a brave girl. My love, support and thoughts go our to you and your family and look forward to hearing that you got your well deserved trip to Disney.
To her father - you really need to grow up and learn how to put your child first. When you become a parent - the world is no longer about you but about that beautiful being that you helped create. You should be doing everything in your power to give her a happy life.
As a mom of a chronically ill teenager (albeit not terminally) - my life revolves around my son and his needs. THAT is what being a parent is all about!!
Bill, I hope you rot in hell. You took something that YOUR DAUGHTER really wanted away from her. Shame on you for actually calling yourself a father. You need to be fixed and you need to sign your rights to McKenna off. What, you thought you would get something out of your baby being sick and that's why you walked your skanky butt back in to her life? Did you actually think that you would get to go to Disneyworld and find another girl to knock up? I hope you get cancer and that is NOT something I wish on anyone. Your baby is not "cured" and actually will never be fully restored. In fact, since she has no more of her own blood, maybe your DNA has been erased. Maybe because she doesn't have her original hair you have been erased. BELIEVE.
Don't know if you believe in God, but I am sending up prayers for your family. We will be sending a donation for little McKenna! From one mom to another, be sure to take plenty of pictures at Disney!! Lastly, I just want to say that I live in Florida, and you may want to plan your trip for late summer/early fall. It's really hot right now, and raining everyday. You will get the most enjoyment out of the trip when the weather cools a little.
I agree with dad, it is for those who are dying, not who survived. This isn't any different than people on Medicaid when they really don't qualify. Fraud is fraud. Make a wish is for those dying. Medicaid is for those who really need it as a hand up not a hand out.Everyone should respect dad's decision, it's actually the right one. The girl shouldn't have been told about going anywhere until the parents signed off. That is just common sense. As far as dad not being in the child's life, you'd be surprised how often it is the low life moms keeping the dads away for no reason. Then they make up stories to make dad look bad. It happens all the time! Way to go dad. We need more honest people like yourself.
Make a wish is not exclusive to children who are dying, make a wish includes children like this little girl who's undergone endless painful treatments in hopes it will make her well. This little girl is not "free and clear" as her absent father, states, she is in remission & the chance of her becoming ill again could be high.
I can honestly say, I've never read such a cold hearted comment as yours. I can only assume, you hate most everything, with children being the upmost on your list.
If this mom is anything like mine than she will play little games using the child as a tool to get back at the father, especialy if he has moved on and remarried while she is single with a child. My mom moved far away, would take off with us kids on weekends that my dad would drive 340 miles just to visit us for the weekend. So I don't blame the father one bit for this.
You stated this so much more nicely than he deserves. I worked with the MAW Foundation and NEVER saw a child who did not want some happy days in their life.
Don't deny that baby that trip. Hopefully, she is cured and lives a long life. She would never forgive you for this if you ever want to be in her life. I have a daughter who has a kidney disease and has been selected to go on a cruise(her dream) by a similar foundation, but has not been up to it for 5 years. She has been through so much pain(adults couldn't handle it) in the past nine years, I couldn't imagine letting that baby not live HER dreams. She is my hero. Don't be the bad guy, she will never forget if you really do want to be in her life, or is it really between you and her mom.
If I wasn't a single mom.. I would defianlty donate money. My daughter is 4 and when I see her eyes lite up everytime she sees a Princess or sees Mickey.. it makes my eyes fill with tears.. cause she is SO happy to be visiting the Happiest place on earth!
Why? Could it be that she will raise much more money by putting her spin on this.
Interesting that there has been no further comment from Make-A-Wish. Perhaps if mom wouldn't have pulled the request things would be different.
Hang in there Dad, something tells me you have a bigger story to tell but you would never put it out there for your daughter to know. Especially since she is so very sick. I pray for your daughter that she beats this. It took the life of my sister so I understand.
RSS feed for comments to this post.