CALGARY – Thirteen-year-old Ashley Hodges suffers from a rare disease that means she can’t do things most kids take for granted. She can’t sit up, breathe on her own, or speak, but she thinks just like any other teenage girl–and to her, Taylor Swift means a lot.
“(She) loves dancing to all her songs,” her mom, Lisa, said with a smile. “That music brings her such joy.”
Younger sister Sarah agreed:
“She hums to all her songs and I really like seeing Ashley enjoy that.”
Ashley and her sisters Sarah, 11, and Kathryn, 7, will head to Edmonton for Swift’s August 5 concert in a trip made possible by the Children’s Wish Foundation.
“We’ve been preparing by picking out our outfits,” said Sarah, “and making posters to hold up in the concert so Taylor can notice us.”
Ashley suffers from spinal muscular atrophy or SMA, type 1.
“It affects the motor neurons which in turn affects the muscles which leads to muscle wasting,” Lisa explained.
The Children’s Wish Foundation grants wishes to kids with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses. For Ashley, the organization has arranged for the entire family to attend the Edmonton concert. Transportation, accommodation and medical support will be provided, but they can’t deliver everything Ashley has asked for.
To grant Ashley’s final request, the charity is asking for help.
“We are hoping to get Taylor’s attention–that she might have a moment to say hello to Ashley,” said Cindy Stephen, a spokesperson for the Children’s Wish Foundation.
You can help get Swift’s attention by reaching out to the pop star on social media and tweeting this story to @taylorswift13 using the hashtag #Taylor4Ashley.
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