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Abbi’s wish

Make-A-Wish surprises Warren 7-year-old with trip to Hawaii

Photos submitted to Times Observer Every time Abigail Cornman received a gift from Make-A-Wish and Edinboro SAAC members, she also received a lei and a smile.

Photos submitted to Times Observer Abigail Cornman, center, middle row, is watching the action during an Edinboro vs. IUP basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 11, minutes before finding out during halftime that she was granted a Make-A-Wish trip to Hawaii. From left, in front, are Jason Hale (Abbi's stepfather), Dookie Broussard (maternal great-grandmother), Madison Cornman (Abbi's sister), and Daniel Cornman (Abbi's father), middle, Bethiny Couse (Abbi's mother), Abigail Cornman, and Jen Madigan (family friend), and, in back, family friends Chuck and Gail Johnson, and Debbie Blum (Abbi's maternal grandmother). Photos submitted to Times Observer Abigail Cornman gave back by donating a dollar to Make-A-Wish Foundation and posting her star on the donation wall at Edinboro University the same day she received her gifts.

Photos submitted to Times Observer Abigail Cornman and her doll, Miss Purple. Miss Purple is important to Abbi, who plans on taking her on the flight to Hawaii for her Make-A-Wish dream adventure with her family. Abigail's mother crocheted Miss Purple's hula outfit, pictured here.Wishes do come true, and are sometimes unexpected.

Abigail Cornman (Abbi for short) has been through a lot.

The Warren first-grader and 7-year old and her family will be going to sunny Hawaii for one week in March through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Bethiny Couse knew her daughter Abbi’s Make-A-Wish dream came true, but wanted the news to remain a secret.

Abbi’s mom informed other family members, including Abbi’s 9-year-old sister Madison Cornman.

But Abbi was led to believe they were simply going to the Edinboro vs. IUP women’s college basketball game.

The suspense was worth the wait.

Edinboro Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) members told Abigail her wish was granted during halftime, and led an amazed Abbi to a mid-court chair to shower her with gifts.

Gifts for Abigail and her family for their trip to Hawaii will include: Hula lessons, Atlantis Submarine Tour tickets, a dolphin encounter and underwater camera, a luau, a visit to Sea Life Park, luggage, a four-foot dolphin toy, an Edinboro tee-shirt and sweatshirt, life-size letters that spell Aloha for her bedroom, and a white tee-shirt with a metallic gold pineapple applique and Aloha lettering.

“Every time they brought out another prize, they put a lei around her neck,” Abigail’s mother said.

Abigail, who wore the pineapple tee-shirt for her Times Observer interview, has epilepsy.

“It started when she was 18 months old,” said Bethiny. “She has a mitochondria mutation called POLG — that is something that even the genetics doctors don’t have much info. on, because it was found during the human genome project.

“What we do know is that it affects her liver,” said her mother. “There are only certain meds that she can take because of it… She sees doctors at Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital — they are the best!”

Abbi “was having multiple seizures a day, and we didn’t know triggers,” said Bethiny. “But she was hospitalized and med changes followed, and now she has been seizure free with medication for two years.”

“I want to go to Hawaii and learn to hula dance,” she had told her mother while watching the movie Lilo & Stitch. When Abigail’s doctor, Dr. Vaisleib at Pittsburgh Children’s, encouraged Ms. Couse to send Abigail’s paperwork to Make-a-Wish program, the choice was clear.

What will she pack for a trip to Hawaii?

“Summer clothes,” said an excited Abbi.

She is also excited to wear the dresses her mother bought for her, especially “the pink one.”

Did you really keep it a secret the whole time, Madison?

Abigail and Madison looked at each other.

“Yes I did,” Madison said proudly.

Bethiny said about eight Make-a-Wish families were present for the celebration at Edinboro, in addition to the crowd present for the game.

Couse explained that Make-a-Wish recipients must have a life-threatening disease, such as the type of epilepsy Abigail suffers.

Abigail and her family leave for Hawaii on March14 and return March 20.

“Miss Purple is important to Abigail, and will be going on the flights with her,” added Abigail’s grandmother, Debbie Blum, referring to her doll.

The celebration was well-organized and executed by Make-A-Wish representatives and the Edinboro University Student Athletic Advisory Committee members, according to Abbi’s mother.

Each gift presented led to the next.

For example, when they awarded the trip to Hawaii, the announcer said, “and you will need luggage to pack for your trip.”

They would then present the luggage.

“And you will need things to do when you are in Hawaii.”

And then a submarine cut-out appeared on stage with tickets to the submarine tour.

The family is looking forward to spending this valuable time with Abbi, and are happy to see her wish come true.

“She does have some difficulties in school,” said Bethiny, “was having a hard time in reading, but received help and is now at grade level. Sometimes it just takes a different approach with her. Gross motor, fine motor was behind. Low muscle tone. She has gone through P.T. and O.T. to help with that,

“She mostly went through the seizures and difficulties before she made it to (Warren Area Elementary Center),” said Bethiny. “She was diagnosed so young. We had palliative care through Hospice that helped with getting the referrals that were needed for P.T. and O.T. Really, to meet her you wouldn’t know she has a medical problem. She is a thriving, fun-loving child. She runs, plays, fights with her sister like any child. I don’t think she even thinks about the epilepsy. We do have to be careful about heights with her. She has side affects from her meds. She has headaches several times a week.

“She was overwhelmed by it all when we were at Edinboro and they let her know she is going,” said Bethiny. “She is so excited about going. We are going to be able to spend time as a family enjoying the beach. Her wish was to go to Hawaii and learn to hula dance and her dream will come true!”

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