Story courtesy of the Tyler Morning Telegraph
By MELISSA CROWE
Staff Writer
LINDALE — Lifting a hand freckled with red and blue coloring markers, Madison Buck smiled with a bashful, toothy grin and gave a modest princess wave to her first-grade class.
Red lights flashed from the heels of her pink shoes, with each hop closer to her mother's arms.
At her third day of the school year, the 7-year-old Princess for a Day of College Street Elementary School is living a dream come true thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation: a weeklong trip with her family to Give Kids the World Village in Orlando, the Disney World theme parks and Sea World.
"I've never known her to be speechless," her mother, Jennifer Buck, said at the Make-A-Wish sendoff from Madison's class. "She has no idea what's coming."
Madison's classmates gave her a sendoff Wednesday with cake, handmade cards and a big sign autographed by all that said "We Love You!"
Her teacher, Vicki Cantrell, said Madison is a "phenomenal" student and helps out teaching the children sign language.
"The kids love her," Ms. Cantrell said. "I'm blessed to have her and the other children in my class."
Madison was born with DiGeorge Syndrome, a chromosome syndrome that affects her speech, heart, growth and immune system.
Constant doctor visits and hospital stays have not been easy on Madison or her family.
She has had four open-heart surgeries, reconstructive surgery, and spent more than 80 days in Medical City Children's Hospital in Dallas during an 18-month stretch.
Her father, Tom Buck, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lindale, said his sons, Dallas, 11, and Jackson, 5, have been understanding and compassionate throughout the ordeals.
"It's like a dream come true," Buck said. "This is a good treat for them."
The Buck family left Lindale at 4 p.m. Wednesday for Dallas, where they stayed at a hotel in the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport before their early-morning flight to Orlando.
Madison communicates with a blend of sign language and soft words.
She said she was excited to see the tall castles at Disney World and the princesses.
Buck said Madison is "thrilled" about the vacation.
"Her favorite thing is anything that's princess," Buck said. "She has all the Disney dresses and wears a different one every day."
Madison Buck can barely contain her excitement as College Elementary School's Principal Dr. Belinda Neal adjusts her crown. Behind them is a poster made and signed by her classmates.
