COLUMBUS - A 10-year-old Columbus girl was in for a special treat when the Kids Wish Network sent her and her family on a special trip.
Alycia Alt, who suffers from Crohn's Disease, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the intestines, had her wish of a Bahamian cruise granted by the organization that is dedicated to creating happy memories for children with life-threatening conditions.
The entire Alt family, including parents Tom and Kristen, and their daughters, Amanda, Trisha, Alycia and Abbie, shipped out on Nov. 4 and returned home three days later.
Kristen said her family feels so blessed to have been able to go on the trip and that Alycia, who is a fourth-grader at St. Anthony Elementary School, was treated like a little princess from the plane trip to Miami to the time spent aboard the ship.
She had her nails and hair done, received money to play in the arcade and chocolate-covered strawberries were sent to her room every day. Alycia also got to meet the captain of the ship and dancers who performed in a show they attended.
On one stop on the trip, Alycia and her sisters got to go snorkeling and the family relaxed on the beach in Nassau.
It was a trip full of special memories for Alycia, who has spent much of her life suffering from the disease. Kristen said Alycia was diagnosed with Crohn's when she was 4 years old. But symptoms of the disease had been present since she was 2. Alycia was misdiagnosed for two years until she was taken to a specialist at Children's Hospital.
“We had no idea what it was. When the doctor first looked at her in Omaha he said, ‘We think she has Crohn's Disease.' We didn't know what it was,” Kristen said.
The disease causes inflammation and usually it occurs in the lower part of the small intestine. It has no cure, but treatment includes medication and surgery, both of which Alycia has had.
Even though she is in constant pain, including stomach aches and joint pain, which is a side affect of the medication, Kristen said her daughter is a little trooper and a sweetheart who keeps her thoughtful, caring nature about her despite her physical health.
Some with Crohn's disease go into remission for years before symptoms flare up again. Kristen said they don't know what the future will hold for her daughter, but they hope for the best.
“If we are blessed by God this thing will go into remission,” she said.
Reach Julie Blum at 563-7535 or jblum@columbustelegram.com.
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