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Make-A-Wish events part of recovery process Continued from page 23 23 · Friday, March 19, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com since then has developed into a healthy, happy girl. The princess attire is a far stretch from Chayley Sibbing's regular apparel. The 10-year- old is a self-proclaimed "tomboy." "I don't look like a tomboy any more," exclaims the Burlington resident as she takes a look at her makeup. "She's been talking about it for days," said Chayley's mom Mary, adding that the youngster has yet to choose her wish from the foundation. About two years ago, Mary noticed Chayley was tiptoeing around the house. Not thinking much of it at first, she noticed the tiptoeing got progressively worse. After three months, Mary brought her daughter to a physiotherapist, where it was discovered she had two benign tumors growing on her spine. The tumors were removed and a month's worth of radiation followed to stop what remained of them from growing "Since then she's been okay," said Mary. "A week ago she had a NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER SHOE TALK: Cassie Lyons checks out Cinderella's new shoes, with straps so they don't fall off during the Disney on Ice performance. MRI done at Sick Kids and we got a clear, it's not growing." And that's not the only good news for Chayley and Mary. "She's pretty much flat-footed most of the time, and we didn't really know if she'd start walking normal again," Mary explained. Along with giving children and parents a break from doctor visits and treatments, some believe the Make-A-Wish events help in the recovery process. "They've been through so much. Each child had gone through their own issues and problems and to see them to be able to have this day and be a princess and leave all that stuff behind is just unbelievable," said Krista Bussey of Make-A-Wish Canada. "To be able to invite the family is unreal because it keeps the relationship with Make-A-Wish ongoing." Disney On Ice and Make-AWish have enjoyed a long-running relationship. The Hamilton princess party, which also made stop in Toronto, London and Ottawa, was the fourth and final in Ontario. "The parents are so grateful to see the smile on the kids' faces," said Beth Merrick, of Disney On Ice. "Especially for those who are undergoing treatment or have spent time in the hospital, to make them feel like princesses, they're so appreciative."