Wish Comes True for Naperville 7-year-old

Today is the day Lucy Smith has been dreaming about for months. Lucy, 7, was granted a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and she chose a Disney Cruise. Lucy and her family are enjoying the first of a four-day cruise to the Bahamas.

Born with tricuspid atresia, a congenital heart defect, Lucy had two surgeries, one as an infant the other as a toddler, to make her heart function properly. Now she is a healthy 2nd grader at .

Although she still makes annual visits to the cardiologist and must take medication, she is like any other child her age, he mom Erin Smith said.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation partnered with Panera Bread for a fundraiser at area locations. Panera Bread donated a portion of purchases made from Jan. 31 through Feb. 13 to the foundation. The company partnered with the foundation last year and the event was so successful it decided to do it again, Erin Smith said.

To be eligible for a wish a child must have a life-threatening medical condition, according to the foundation’s website. Erin Smith said that now seemed like a good time to apply for a wish for her daughter. She was surprised how quickly it was granted.

Lucy chose the cruise for her family including her mother, her dad Brian, brother Ethan, 9, and sister Audrey, 4.

“I’ve been dreaming about the cruise every night,” Lucy said. “And the big slide and snorkeling and watching movies from the hot tub.”

The ship is new and has many interactive features, including pictures that come to life, another attraction for Lucy. A budding artist, she also plans to spend time in the ship’s art room.

Along with the cruise, the family will be taking an excursion that will allow them to swim with dolphins, Erin Smith said.

The Smiths made a stop at a nearby last week to buy cookies and were excited to see photos of Lucy around the store along with the names of all the people who had donated to the foundation.

“We will be doing a lot more giving back to Make-A-Wish,” Erin Smith said. “It’s a great organization that helps so many kids in so many different ways.”