From Douglas to Disney: Wyoming 5-year-old gets her Make-A-Wish granted
Sometimes, when you know a hard thing is coming, you have to do something a little extra fun before it.
For Junie, a five-year-old who lives in Douglas, that became true this summer. In May, she went to Walt Disney World with her family, which was her Make-A-Wish. Shortly after she got home, she was on the road again, this time to Denver Children's Hospital for bone marrow transplant.
Sarah and Tony Witbrod, Junie's adoptive parents, flew to Ukraine two days before Russia invaded in 2022 to finalize Junie's adoption process, along with another child's, Caius. "We said, 'if the flights are flying, we're going to get our babies,'" Tony said in a press release from Make-A-Wish Wyoming.
"We saw our babies on Monday, had court the next day on Tuesday, got Junie and Caius on Wednesday, and then, on the fourth day, we were supposed to fly home but instead woke up to bombings at four in the morning. At this point, it was 'all things go' to get us home," he added.
Junie and Caius joined six other children in the Witbrod family. But Junie needed special attention and care in particular, as she was born with specific health conditions. It was, as the press release put it, evading one war to come home and tackle another.
Months after coming to Douglas, Junie still hadn't put on any weight. Tests revealed that she had a rare blood disorder called Fanconi's Anemia. A bone marrow transplant, along with other treatments, became a scheduled reality for the child, and it was decided that this summer was the time.
But not before she got her wish.
"She wanted to go to Minnie Mouse's house, so, of course, we had to go to Disney World," Tony said.
A litany of memories followed: Their stay in the Give Kids the World Village, a nonprofit resort that provides vacations to families with critically ill children at no cost. Trips to Disney, Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios. Meeting Minnie Mouse, Junie's favorite character, and having breakfast with her.
Junie ran through the gates at Epcot, past Goofy, to get right to Minnie Mouse. She got to skip the lines for the rides.
The months afterward have been decidedly less fun for Junie as she underwent her bone marrow transplant, which itself brought complications to her eating and breathing. She also received chemotherapy, all while battling viral infections and a liver disease.
"It gave us memories, hope, and things to reminisce on as we continue to go through this incredibly difficult time," says Tony said, reminiscing on their trip to Disney World. Junie and her family are still in Denver, the press release said, but hope to come home soon. To follow Junie's story more closely, visit juniesjourney.com .
Jordan Smith covers Casper and its surrounding municipalities for the Casper Star-Tribune and can be reached at 307-266-0513, or on X
Casper City Reporter
