Community steps up to help complete ‘sand bucket list’
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Seven-year-old Meisyn Ellison is adored by both her adoptive family and supportive community. | Photo by Kirsten Murdoch
The Ellison family sporting purple in support of their sister and daughter, Meisyn. | Photo by Kirsten Murdoch
From this description Meisyn sounds like an ordinary first grade girl. However, there are many things that set her apart from other children.
When Meisyn was 8 months old she was left in a stroller along with $6 and some formula on the streets in China. She spent the first six years of her life in an orphanage before she was adopted by the Ellison family in 2012. She has never been able to walk due to reasons unknown prior to her adoption.
“When we adopted her a year ago, we didn’t know she had a neuromuscular condition,” Meisyn’s mother Stefani Ellison said. “So this was all unanticipated for us, that we would be going through what we are now.”
After several tests, doctors concluded that Meisyn has a very rare and degenerative form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
“In her case, her nerves are degenerating. The nerves can no longer carry instructions from the brain to the muscles, thus the muscles atrophy,” Stefani said in her blog titled “Messages from Meisyn.”
She said Meisyn has severe scoliosis and weak core muscles, which make it hard for her to sit up.
“She knows that she’s getting weaker, that she won’t be able to do lots of things,” Stefani said. “But she wants to see the (Disney) princesses.”
Stefani suggested Meisyn write down a list of all of the things she wants to do over the summer. They call it her “sand bucket list” and it includes items previously listed as well as getting a sparkly ring, flying with fairies and helping zoo animals.
When members of the community found out about Meisyn’s list they were supportive and wanted to help fulfill her desires.
Ginger Healy and Kristen Murdoch in particular arranged for Meisyn to have a party with the princesses she so badly wanted to see.
“They said, ‘We’ve got a tea party planned for you, just show up,’” Stefani said. “And there were cute college girls dressed in costume that came and they had a party.”
After hearing about the Disney Princess party, other community members stepped forward and wanted to know about ways they could also contribute to completing the sand bucket list.
“So two hamsters are arriving because she wanted a hamster,” Stefani said.
She explained that IHOP will be having a fundraiser for her daughter.
“People have offered so much just hearing her story,” she said. “She just leaves sunshine wherever she goes. I don’t think it’s her purpose to be healed, it’s her purpose to be free, and she’s here to teach.”
Meisyn is one of 12 children adopted by the Ellison family. Stefani Ellison has been the adoption coordinator for Children’s House International, the Chinese Waiting Child Program, for 18 years and is mother figure to 17 people, ages 2 to 33.
Read more: Iron County Today - Community steps up to help complete sand bucket list
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