Destiny defies the odds and has her biggest wish granted
Destiny was all smiles as she met her biggest hero, but there had been times when her family feared she wouldn’t make it.
The teenager lives with severe complex bronchiectasis, a condition where the airways in the lungs are damaged and produce a lot of phlegm.
Mum, Sam, explained: “She had a rocky start in life. There were times when we weren’t sure whether she would be here.”
“When she was younger, she would often breathe more heavily than usual, flare her nostrils and take longer than other children to get over colds.
“I noticed these episodes would be more regular around wintertime and early spring. When the ground is damp or there’s been heavy rainfall, it would exacerbate her condition.”
Believing Destiny was suffering from more than just a cold, Sam found support from the Respiratory team at Birmingham Children’s Hospital who were able to diagnose her with Bronchiectasis.
“Since being diagnosed, the team at Birmingham Children’s Hospital have been on hand to support me and Destiny whenever they need them.
“I’m forever thankful for their input on how to manage her condition. If I’m unsure of something, the respiratory nurses are always there to help and it means Destiny is able to thrive and I’m eternally grateful for each day with her.”
Having gone through so much, Destiny’s respiratory nurse, Hollie Smith, knew just what she needed to boost her spirits and referred her to Make-A-Wish.
Hollie explained: “It’s always a joy to see Destiny in clinic; she is a wonderful young person with an incredibly warm personality.
“Her condition involves a significant burden of ongoing treatments and regular management, but despite this, the challenges have not dampened her spirits.
“Her resilience in coping with a long-term respiratory condition is clear, and she continues to bring positivity to those around her. Her strength and outlook have been inspiring, and I felt she would greatly benefit from the joy and hope that a Make-A-Wish experience can bring during such a difficult time.”
Thinking back to finding out about the referral, Sam said: “It meant the world to Destiny; she knew just what her wish would be, and she could finally have it.”
When Destiny is unwell, she finds comfort watching her favourite show, Doc Martin. So, when it came to choosing her wish, it couldn’t be any other but meeting the man himself, Martin Clunes.
Last summer, Sam and, a very excited, Destiny travelled from their home in Dudley to the Park Plaza County Hall Hotel in London where they experienced the VIP treatment, including being driven in a limo.
The family spoke about everything from Martin’s role in the Nativity movie and, of course, Doc Martin, but they also discussed Destiny’s condition.
Sam recalled: “He was very understanding to Destiny’s complex needs and I explained how bronchiectasis affects her.
“People don’t hear much about it, but it can be debilitating. We want people to understand the condition and how they can support those living with Bronchiectasis to help improve their quality of life.
There are times when Destiny is on antibiotics for weeks, and she’ll struggle to breathe and eat food orally.
But Destiny, mum Sam and big sister Kiti, refuse to let it hold them back and if anything, it’s taught the family to live each day to the fullest and focus on the positives.
“So far Destiny has amazed me. She’s achieved more than what I could have hoped for and I always look at all the things she can do rather than things she can’t do. She’s so caring and loving, she’s an amazing little girl.”