A Barn for Heather
9-year-old's wish realized through generosity

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Great response to Heather's wish has advanced the planned three-sided lean-to into an enclosed barn with stalls, windows, and climate control. Above, 9-year-old Heather listens in on a discussion between volunteers. -- Courtesy photos

December 20, 2001 -- A singing youngster once proclaimed all he wanted for Christmas was his two front teeth, but a young girl in Denton County just wanted a barn for her horses.

Through "A Wish With Wings," Heather, a chronically-ill 9-year-old, could have asked for anything - meet a popular celebrity or visit some grand place - but all she wanted was a shelter for her two ponies.

Country World published an article by Denton County Extension Agent Rebecca Parker on Oct. 4. The article detailed Heather's request and called for donations and volunteers.

Through an overwhelming response, the three-sided lean-to that was planned, developed into a full-scale barn with stalls, a wash area, and importantly, two climate-controlled rooms, as weather changes can often negatively affect Heather.

"This barn is really a marvelous thing to see," said Patti Goerdel, wish coordinator with A Wish With Wings. "The in-kind donations on Heather's barn were tremendous. We got tons of materials and volunteers."

A Wish With Wings, which began in 1982, is an organization that grants wishes to children between the ages of 3 and 17 who have life-threatening diseases, Goerdel explained. The children must either live in Texas or are undergoing treatment in Texas.

To date, A Wish With Wings has granted over 900 kids their wish. "The most popular request we have is a trip to DisneyWorld in Orlando. When we give this, the entire family goes. This year we even had a request for a trip to the Pro Bowl, and of course it's in Hawaii," Goerdel said.

The wish coordinator said a child can submit three choices. "We always try to grant the first choice" unless it's something like a bungee jump (as one youngster requested) or a motorized vehicle.

As Parker wrote in her article about Heather, it was something special that a 9-year-old would choose something not really for herself, but rather for something to protect her pet horses from the North Texas weather.

Goerdel admitted that she first said "no" to Heather's first choice of a barn. "Frankly, I said it was too expensive and too far out" from the organization's Arlington-based headquarters to organize a barn-raising.

"But in a meeting we had, everyone was enthusiastic. Rebecca (Parker) assured me there were lots of people in 'horse country' to help," Goerdel added.

So the project got under way. One key organizer, retired veterinarian Dr. Dick Shepherd, said simply that he "had the time to help. ... And, I have also been active in Habitat for Humanity, so I had a list of volunteers.

"This has been a good, worthwhile project," he added. "This barn will serve Heather really well when she needs a good place out of the weather and elements" to be with her horses, one of which is bred.

"This is as nice a barn as anyone could want," Shepherd said on Dec. 13. The interior is complete and the stall doors were expected to be hung that same day. Sliding doors are expected to be up by the weekend, too.

The interior work was completed in three "big" work weekends and few "small" work days, according to Shepherd.

"These volunteers, and the donations, have made a great barn for Heather," Parker said. "It accommodates the special needs she has. It's just beautiful."

During the barn's construction, Heather was hospitalized. (This year alone she has been hospitalized over a dozen times.) But "I think seeing this project begin and progress, combined with so many volunteers that have given so freely for her sake, has been largely responsible for her improved condition," Parker added following the 9-year-old's most recent admission to the hospital.

"The generosity I have been privileged to witness as a part of this effort will stay with me always," she concluded.

Heather's mother commented that Heather's ponies are her "motivation" and that she is so grateful that she has a place to be with them.

As construction of the barn (which Heather calls "awesome") was nearing the end, the 9-year-old expressed gratitude for the volunteers' efforts and the many donations. "Thank you all for helping make my wish come true. It makes me feel wonderful to actually see my wish granted. Now my ponies can be sheltered from the rain and the snow, and I can be with them any time."