Kristina’s Wish

By Sandy James
Published: March 6, 2008

There are two things 15-year-old Kristina Thomas has always wanted to do. She wanted to attend high school and she wanted to meet country singer Alan Jackson.

Even though high school sounds like a natural occurrence for most teenagers, Kristina feels fortunate that she made it there.

Kristina was diagnosed with a malformation of blood vessels in her brain at the age of four. She had a shunt placed in her brain and has undergone several surgeries. Kristina has been in and out of the hospital many times with numerous emergency room trips and even took a ride in UVA’s emergency helicopter - Pegasus. Her twin sister Kaitlyn has been by her side through it all.

On Jan. 27, 2007, just a little over a year ago, Kristina was hospitalized with major brain bleeding. After two and a half months at UVA and Kluge Children’s Rehabilitation Center, she had to learn how to walk, talk and eat all over again.

Doctors thought her chances of walking again were slim, but her mom Carolyn Chewning said, “We knew there were higher powers at work.” Kristina is back in school, in the ninth grade, where her favorite subjects are math and science.

Chewning said supportive family members and the school staff have all been wonderful in seeing that Kristina’s needs are met.

Kristina still has partial paralysis on her left side, but it doesn’t curb her enthusiasm. “I finally got to meet my favorite singer and he was so nice,” she beamed.

Her smile lit up the room as she rifled through pictures of her visit with Jackson and she is especially proud of the cowboy hats Jackson autographed for her and Kaitlyn.

Kristina’s mom agreed, “He was wonderful.”

Kristina has been to several Alan Jackson concerts and she said, “I always wanted to hug him.” Kristina’s favorite doctor in Richmond suggested they call the Make-A-Wish Foundation and tell them of her wish to see Jackson.

Chewning contacted the Make-A-Wish Foundation in August and she received a call on Jan.10, asking if they could board a plane for Nashville the next day. So, Jan.11; Kristina, Kaitlyn and Mom left for Nashville.

Upon arrival in Nashville, the group stayed at the Downtown Nashville Hampton Inn. “The Make-A-Wish Foundation was wonderful. They got us the plane tickets, cash and the hotel room. A representative of the Make-A-Wish Foundation met us at the hotel and brought music CDs and cameras so we could take pictures,” Chewning said.

It was “Sound and Speed Week” in Nashville. Kristina and her mom and sister met lots of NASCAR drivers including Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and a notable group of musicians including Taylor Swift and Jason Michael Carroll. They spent Saturday gathering autographs.

At the Wild Horse Saloon, Michael Waltrip came out of the crowd to visit with Kristina. “We didn’t have anything to write on, so he signed her plane ticket,” Chewning said. They also visited the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Kristina also met an artist from Canada who has cerebral palsy. “She was a very nice young lady and she gave Kristina a portrait of Alan Jackson,” said Chewning.

The main event for Kristina was Saturday night, when she and her family went to Alan Jackson’s hospitality tent. “We were the last ones through the tent, and he spent at least 10 minutes with Kristina. He is a genuinely nice person and such a great role model for the kids,” Chewning said.

“This was my favorite trip ever - I had so much fun,” said Kristina.
For more information on the Central Virginia Make-A-Wish Foundation see www.vawish.org/