Alicia's Pitch Perfect Wish
After performing on television show 'The Voice', ten-year-old Alicia grows in confidence, which warms her family's hearts
Alicia's wish hits a high note
For wish kid Alicia, she has always wanted to move people with her singing. And that's exactly what happened during a break in the recording of 'The Voice' television show.
When one of the crew members was looking for someone to entertain the audience, Alicia's hand shot up in the air, and he came across and put a mic in front of the 10-year-old.
As Alicia started singing 'Girl On Fire' by her namesake, Alicia Keys, proud dad Peter's eyes were fixed on his little girl.
"She was showing people her ability, and that typifies her. That's a moment that touched me. I looked across and could see she was captivating the audience."
A Hollywood makeover
Inspired by her adoration for Keith Urban, Alicia, her two sisters, and their parents, Peter and Margaret, flew to Sydney for the wish.
"When she got up on her wish day, it wasn't a normal wake-up, it was a 'today is the day wake-up'," Peter said. "It was just great to have the family enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A big part of Alicia's wish was getting her hair and make-up done professionally. Peter recalled, "Alicia felt like a movie star getting her make-up and hair done in Sydney. She was radiant. She felt like a princess, and she is a princess... As parents watching her, it was a proud moment for Margaret and I to see her be that princess."
During the wish day, Alicia stated, "This is the best day ever!"
Watching her sing in the arena and seeing her enjoy doing it, and touching people's hearts, that was a great moment.
Peter, Alicia's dad
A rare diagnosis
Alicia's medical journey started as a baby when she was diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease, which meant she was missing nerve cells.
At 14 months old, she had a 12-hour operation to remove 20cm of her intestines.
By 2019, Alicia could not walk, and her neurologist diagnosed her with leukodystrophy, a progressive disease that worsens with time. Alicia's unique leukodystrophy gene mutation was just the seventh diagnosed worldwide.
"There is no cure; you only treat the symptoms," Peter said. "There is a clock, but you don't know if it's a quick or slow clock."
Wish sparks Alicia's confidence
According to Peter, Alicia left the studio of 'The Voice' a different person. "The next day, when we went to shops, she would tell the shop assistants, 'I am famous!', so it really captivated her," said Peter.
Peter said Alicia also became more engaged at home following the wish.
"She seems to have more confidence. And with the speaker and mic that Make-A-Wish gave us, she is now bouncy and vibrant at home, and we think that will continue," he said. "I could probably never express how grateful we are. We will forever remember it."
Alicia felt like a movie star getting her make-up and hair done in Sydney. She was radiant. She felt like a princess, and she is a princess.
Peter, Alicia's dad
