Wish makers delight Wellington boy

Less than two months before his fifth birthday, Ellis Page of Wellington received the gift of a lifetime.

Kids Wish Network in Florida provided a trip to Disney World for the youngster who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare heart disease in which the left side of the heart is unable to maintain circulation for the body.

Ellis, the son of Nicole and Steven Page, underwent a heart transplant at only 7 weeks old and has endured several hospital stays since. Today, Ellis must take medication twice a day and return to Children's Hospital in Denver every four months. His parents have learned how to do blood tests at home every two months.

"At this moment, he's a 100 percent healthy little boy," Nicole said. He plays soccer and T-ball and will attend kindergarten at Ridgeview next year.

The Pages opened their own business in Wellington - Rocky Mountain Mortgage - so they could have a more flexible working schedule to care for Ellis and take him to doctor's appointments.

"We have always made sure both mom and dad are there," Nicole said.

Ellis celebrates his fifth birthday on March 6.

The youngster's chance to make a wish came about after Deb Williamson, Nicole's stepmother, referred the family to Kids Wish Network, a nationally recognized organization that grants wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. When contacted, the Pages knew exactly what Ellis would wish for: a trip to Disney. Soon wish coordinator Shannon Gyurke was making plans to send the whole family to Florida. Ellis has three sisters: Chance, 9; Morgan, 8; and Taya, 1.

From Jan. 24 to 28, the Pages enjoyed Disney World and the company of their extended family. "We had a big family reunion," said Nicole. Ellis' grandparents, aunts, uncles and great-grandparents flew out to Orlando to make his wish even more special. "They wanted to be with him on his wish," Nicole said.

"Ellis's favorite part was meeting Mickey Mouse and riding Thunder Mountain," reported Nicole. "He smiled and laughed the entire time."

Anyone who knows a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of the network's wish-granting services should call toll free to 888-918-9004. Information is also available at the web site www.kidswishnetwork.org.