Caley Camarillo, a 4-year-old with cystic fibrosis, wished to be
a princess and the Make-a-Wish Foundation answered with a day at
Disneyland with her family
By Athanasia Brown Staff writer
Anaheim – Caley Camarillo has always dreamed of being a real princess, even though she’s always been one to her family. But, not so long ago in a land not too far away, 4-year-old Caley found her very own version of a fairy Godmother in the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
With a swish of the foundation’s magic wand, Caley’s wish – to go to Disneyland and meet a princess – was quickly granted.
From the outside, one would never know that princess-loving Caley has lived with cystic fibrosis since she was a month old. Her daily battle with the chronic disease – one that causes breathing and digestive problems – involves three to four breathing treatments to fight the mucus build-up in her lungs. She also swallows more than 30 pills to assist her pancreas with the normal break down of food. There is no cure.
After the Camarillo family contacted the foundation explaining Caley’s wish, representatives worked with the family to look at medical records and get Caley approved for her visit with a princess.
“We grant the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy,” said Maureen Cahill, program assistant with the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The foundation arranged for the Camarillo family to fly to Southern California one Tuesday in July. That evening, they dined at Medieval Times where they watched knights joust as they dined. The family had free reign of Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, the amusement park next to Disneyland, Wednesday and Thursday. Caley was supposed to go to Knott’s Berry Farm Friday, but wasn’t feeling well enough to make the trip. The family returned to Gilroy Saturday.
As the sun rose over the Magic Kingdom on Caley’s big day, the Camarillo family was working hard to get Caley ready. Her mom, Teresa, pampered Caley with a “fancy” hair style, while her dad, Martin, administered her morning breathing treatment. Caley’s older brother, Martin Jr., and baby sister, Carly, also eagerly awaited entrance to “the happiest place on earth.”
Only a short monorail ride later, the Camarillo family found themselves in the midst of the wonderful world of Disney. The morning’s excitement, however, was short lived. The already-exhausted Caley required a stroller and some much needed rest.
Several hours later, the clock struck two and the small sleeping beauty was awoken for her magical wish, a private meeting with the Disney princess, Cinderella.
As the large wooden door to her private meeting room swung open, Caley’s eyes grew wide as she focused on the beautiful princess standing before her.
Caley’s breath came up short and she began to cough as her disease took over. She became nervous and didn’t know what to do. Two mice, Prince Charming and Cinderella’s fairy Godmother were also present, but Caley appeared intimidated by anyone other than the princess.
“She didn’t know whether to run away or smile,” her mother said.
Cinderella quickly put Caley at ease, and the two became friends. Caley’s family looked on as the pair talked and laughed. They chatted about Cinderella’s dress and hair and whether Caley could touch her tongue to her nose.
“It was so emotional – I could just cry seeing how happy she was,” Teresa said. “Cinderella made her feel important. She was absolutely amazing.”
Within a half an hour the overwhelming emotions of her wish come true began to take its toll on the 4-year-old.
After the family took pictures and said their good-byes, Caley reflected on her time with Cinderella.
“I thought she was fake,” she said of first meeting Cinderella. “I didn’t expect her to be real … she was kinda freakin’ me out.”
Moments later, Caley went from Disneyland to dreamland after crawling back into her stroller and falling fast asleep.
After her nap, Caley and family strolled through Once Upon A Time, Disneyland’s Princess Shoppe where she stopped to intently study a porcelain Cinderella figurine.
“Mommy,” she said. “When I grow up I want to look just like her … my face and my body and everything.”
After enjoying a few rides, the Camarillos headed back to the hotel. After such a long day, Caley wasn’t feeling so well.
Days when Caley isn’t feeling her best, like the day she had her private meeting with Cinderella, are typical of her disease.
“Caley’s day all depends on how she feels when she wakes up in the morning,” Teresa said. “That’s everyday … it doesn’t matter where we are.”
When Caley awoke on her second morning, her family recognized it was going to be a good day.
“She woke up feeling great and had an amazing day,” said Teresa.
That second afternoon, the Camarillos went to California Adventure, where they experienced what they said was the highlight of their week. Caley enjoyed a special luncheon with all of the Disney princesses, including Snow White, Ariel and Cinderella at Ariel’s Grotto.
“It was a very special trip – a dream come true for my daughter,” said Martin. “It made me feel like anything is possible.”
It seems for the Camarillo family and their little princess, Caley, wishes really do come true.
