By Andrea Earnest | Enterprise Staff
news@enterprisepublications.com
@PlainfieldNews
Plainfield twins Amani and Ariana Williams were recently granted a trip to Orlando by the Sunshine Foundation – an organization that answers the dreams of children who live with lifelong chronic illnesses, physical challenges or the trauma of abuse.
Amani and Ariana, 16, both have cerebral palsy, Sjogren’s Larsson Syndrome and Lamella Ichthysosis. Cerebral palsy is a congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture. Both girls wear braces to help them walk.
While in Orlando, the girls and their mother, Angela Williams, visited Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld.
The family also stayed at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village, which provides cottages that are equipped for the special needs of young people.
Williams first learned about the Sunshine Foundation while searching the internet for something to help both her daughters.
Amani was not permitted to attend school, and Williams said she was watching her daughter deteriorate day after day.
Amani and Ariana have Sjogren-Larrson Syndrome, which causes skin to be dry, thick and scaly, as well as very itchy and flaky.
Lamella Ichthysosis also affects the skin, making it have large, dark, plate-like scales.
“Amani did not complain of pain in her legs during our stay; her skin was not itchy as it normally is,” Williams said, adding that her daughter’s doctor was amazed at the effect the humid Florida weather had on her daughters’ skin.
“We are actively pursuing to move to Florida very, very soon,” she added.
Williams said she and both of her daughters had a great time in Florida.
“I have never felt so at home in a strange, unfamiliar place. We enjoyed every single minute of our stay and was sorry when it was time to go,” she said.
Since 1976, the Sunshine Foundation has granted wishes to more than 39,000 children across the U.S. According to the organization, it is one of the nation’s top-rated wish-granting charities serving the terminally ill or chronically ill.
For more information, visit www.sunshinefoundation.org.