Make-A-Wish Teen Spends Special Time With Disney Idols

Barney Gardner, from Ashton-under-Hill, met many of his favorite Disney characters through Make-A-Wish.

The 14-year-old suffers from a condition called lissencephaly, characterized by smooth brain surfaces, and doctors had initially given him only two years to live.

Barney meets the characters from Winnie the Pooh. (Image: PA) Barney's mother, Beverley Gardner, said she had a normal pregnancy with him and it was when he reached six months that complications began.

But more than 13 years later, Barney continues to make every day count.

Mrs Gardner said: “He’s 14 now so we feel completely lucky to still have him.

“We live each day to the fullest, we always look for opportunities and we always create memories.”

Barney loved meeting Belle from Beauty and the Beast. (Image: PA) Disney UK and Make-A-Wish UK have joined forces to bring A Disney Wish, a unique Disney experience to more than 200 children living with serious illnesses across the UK.

The families had been invited to the event at Hoar Cross Hall, a hotel in Staffordshire.

Barney's favorite Disney character is Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and his mother added that he can't take his eyes off Cinderella.

“She's probably one of his favorites, and then at the end we managed to get him out of his wheelchair, and he got on a beanbag in the front row,” she said.

Barney and Mickey. (Image: PA) “The storytelling and the way they brought it all to life was absolutely fantastic, and then the princesses all came in at the end, and Cinderella actually chose Barney to dance.

“So she was dancing with him in his wheelchair.

“He couldn’t take his eyes off her and then he got to meet and greet all the other princesses one-on-one.”

Sara Hanson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Disney EMEA, added that it was a “privilege” to bring the “magic” of Disney to families through this experience.

“What I notice while walking is how many times families tell you that this is the first time their child has taken a ride or the first time they have seen a full show,” he said. -she declared.

“What makes this experience so special is that we can take this time and really tailor this experience to the child, which I think gives people a lot of opportunities to experience those first moments that they otherwise wouldn't be able to. maybe not live to go elsewhere.