Bella Boo we love you!

http://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/meadville-girl-surprised-with-trip-at-make-a-wish-event/article_4d444edc-acf1-11e4-ad5c-4feeb08c8374.html

Make-A-Wish

Isabella Linz, 8, of Meadville gets a kiss from her mom Carrie at center court in McComb Fieldhouse at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania on Wednesday night during halftime of the men’s basketball game against Gannon. Linz was surprised with a bunch of gifts including a trip to Hawaii from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

By Keith Gushard Meadville Tribune

EDINBORO — Isabella Linz said she knew something was up when she was attending Make-A-Wish Night at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania — she just didn’t know exactly what. Eight-year-old Isabella and her parents, Tom and Carrie Linz of Meadville, were among a number of Make-A-Wish families recognized throughout Wednesday night’s men’s basketball game.

At halftime of the game Isabella and her parents were called to the center of the basketball court where Isabella’s wish to go to Hawaii was granted. It was fulfilled through Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children, aged 2 1/2 to 18, with life-threatening medical conditions. Isabella was told by her parents she simply was joining other Make-A-Wish families for a night out, but in an interview after receiving her wish, Isabella said she had an inkling something was afoot. “I knew there was a secret, but I didn’t know what,” she said with a giggle. “Once I tried talking about it, they said ‘Hush.’ Two, I could see it in their faces. And, three they canceled everything (planned) this week.” Isabella has a life-threatening metabolic disorder that was diagnosed at birth — VLCAD deficiency. The condition prevents the body from converting certain fats to energy. Children with VLCAD deficiency also are at risk of serious complications such as liver abnormalities and heart problems. Isabella, a third-grader at Creative Landscapes Learning Center in Meadville, was nominated for Make-A-Wish by one of the teachers there, Carrie said. Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer from Hawaii who lost an arm to a shark in 2003, has served as an inspiration to Isabella after Isabella saw a movie on Hamilton’s life, according to Carrie. “(Isabella’s) comments were, ‘Bethany proved that she could be more than just a girl in a hospital,’” Carrie said. “It’s about being strong — even though her body won’t let her.”