Father Denies Little Girl ‘Make-A-Wish‘ Disney Dream Saying She’s Not Sick Enough
- Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:26pm by
Liz Klimas
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McKenna May, only 4 years old, has endured 15 spinal taps, chemotherapy and numerous hospital stays. In 2010, McKenna was diagnosed with leukemia and to the joy of her parents, she had her last treatment in June of this year, according to the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune.
Before this time, McKenna was entered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to go to Disney World. The foundation granted this request, but McKenna won’t be going to Disney — at least not yet.
McKenna May and her mother Whitney Hughes (Photo: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune)
The Sentinel-Tribune reports that even though McKenna won’t be officially considered cancer free until five years from now, her father, William May, said that he thinks the money would be better used on other children.
“I think it should go to kids who only have six months to live,” he said, refusing to sign the papers that would allow McKenna and her family to take the trip.
Although, CEO and President of Make-A-Wish in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana Susan McConnell said McKenna still qualifies:
“The doctors are the ones who determine if she is qualified,” McConnell explained.
McConnell said it is unfortunate that the family yanked their request for a wish since the father wouldn’t sign off.
“She’s been through a lot,” she said of McKenna. “What I really feel bad about is she is stuck in the middle.”
McKenna’s mother, Whitney Hughes, and grandmother, Lori Helppie, say they thinks it is a feud between Hughes and her ex-husband that is kept him from signing off on the papers. Two parental signatures are usually required for the foundation to officially send a family on a trip.
“He has made it such an ugly fiasco. It’s not about him – it’s about McKenna,” Helppie said to the Sentinel-Tribune. “But he’s doing this to get back.”
May said this is not the case but did acknowledge that it “ticked [him] off” not being able to be more involved during a time when his daughter was sick. The Sentinel-Tribune reports that he was granted visitation privileges earlier this year.
Still, Helppie is telling McKenna she will eventually get to Disney World. The family is raising money with change jars around town that will help fund the trip. They have a goal of raising $3,500.
(H/T: Daily Mail)
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Comments (77)
Naram-Sin
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:34pmAs an attorney I’ve handled a lot of divorce cases where the parents use the children to hurt the other party. The wife may have been responsible for restricting visitation. Happens a lot. The father may be saying no to get even. Happens a lot too. But it’s hard to tell when the father is right. And he’s right, the money should be going to children who dying, who aren’t going to get the years of life this child now has. If this child is cured, she has recieved a gift much greater than Disneyland. Give the trip to a child who isn’t going to get the greater gift.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:55pmDonate money now.She can still get the trip and the original money can still go to other kids.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 7:54pmThe FoxNews story says that 1) he’s married to someone else, 2) did not make any effort to see the child when she was in therapy, 3) was not married to the woman when she had the baby girl, 4) man says he does not want mom to go to Florida to house shop to make it harder for him to visit the child.
Report Post »ohnomrbill
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:22pmShe will not know for quit some while weather or not she’s cured shes only 6 months out. This child has suffered more then most at such a young age whats the big deal let the child have a moment
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 7:10amLike it or not he is her father. How would you like it if outside influences told you what to do with your child? There is better time spent than on this earth than Disney anyway.
Report Post »Kalevipoeg
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 9:46amThe make a wish foundation isn’t just for the terminally ill.
Report Post »IsThereADifference
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 1:10pmDamn the media for intruding in on this families life and trying to destroy the reputation of this man. This man and woman have every right to make decisions about their family without it being turned into a media circus. This is just sickening. The media is made up of greedy liars who care about nothing except a paycheck.
Report Post »IsThereADifference
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 1:11pmMy biggest question to most people here would be: WHAT BUSINESS IS IT OF YOURS???
Report Post »GreatGu
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 3:15pmThis JackAss just showed what kind of Father he really is. Maybe the Family Court Judge presiding over their case can override this self centered POS and make this happen. Tomorrow, next week, next month or even next year, this child could take a turn for the worse and never have this chance. Shame of you William May, I hope you have limited visitation rights.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:15pmHitler had a lot of people just like you.
Report Post »MountainJac
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:40pmNo, Hitler had a lot of fathers who would take away their child’s chance to go to “Disney Land” because it wasn’t for the good of the many. I cannot imagine telling my sick child, no your not going to DISNEYLAND!!!! because you don’t “deserve it”, you haven‘t suffered enough to earn a few day’s of fun and frankly there are other children worse off then you, so suck it up. This dad needs a serious smack of reality and too grow his heart a few 100 times bigger.
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 7:38pmMountainJac
Congratulations. With all of the press and electronic media in the world today, we inevitably spend a lot of time hearing people saying the same stuff over and over again, and rarely hear anything new and original. However, I believe I can safely say that your statement:
No, Hitler had a lot of fathers who would take away their child’s chance to go to “Disney Land” because it wasn’t for the good of the many.
Is a sentence never before written or spoken in the entire history of human language,
Report Post »IsThereADifference
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 1:16pmGREATGU
It’s none of your business. Get it? This man has done NOTHING wrong. It’s HIS family not yours. I think this family can make their own decisions with out a bunch a busy bodies throwing there two cents in.
Where do you people get off??? Lets just shoot the son of a bi*** Right? Get a grip.
Report Post »avgconservative
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 3:10pmI was there last week… Disney sucks. They need to take a lesson from Universal. The “Magic Kingdom” was overcrowded, expensive ($100 to feed four adults), and the “Fast Pass” lines are just as bad as the regular lines.
The rides are dumb and the accommodations are filthy.
Make a wish… Go to Universal instead.
Report Post »rabblechat
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 6:01pmMy trip to Disneyland was fantastic; the park was very busy but fast pass worked great, I never waited more than 20 minutes for a ride. The biggest reason to go to Disneyland instead of Disneyworld is the weather. I‘ll take high 70’s low humidity and no rain over 95 degrees, 100% humidity and daily showers any day of the week.
You are right about the food though, it is EXPENSIVE!!!
Report Post »HoratiusAtTheBridge
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 11:41pmUh – kids love Disney. This is about a sick little girl you great big grown up unimaginative adult. It’s still all about “me” – YOU think it’s this or that – expensive, whatever. To a kid it is pure, unforgettable magic. Try dying to that big fat demanding SELF – the world is so much brighter when you can do that. Otherwise, ram a Disney monorail way up there – we are increasingly tired of loud, cruel, selfish and stupid people. They have gotten very close to a revolution – but not the one they think is coming.
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 9:41amGo home lie in your bed and don’t let your hatred effect anyone else. That’s the least you can do for others. Oh, you don’t care for others do you?
Report Post »trinklefinder
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 3:06pmMore importantly why did dad lose visitation in the first place?!
Report Post »His Wife
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:30pmI have a child that had a brain tumor. It was hard and horrible. It was reverse I was the one who said no to the trip. He was at this point fine!!! That was the wish for him to be fine. My ex could have taken him to Disney, he had the money. I couldn’t, I didn’t have the money. In the end I won. My son is now in his 20′s and still has not been to Disney. Why this has ended up a news story is beyond me. This is a personal matter that should not be on here for us to comment, and what does this teach this child? The way people are is beyond me. Save it for the kids who will never be able to get there later in life because they are dying. She is fine now hopefully stays that way, in the end that was the wish, it was granted, just like it was for my son.
Report Post »KevINtampa
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:46pmGood post, great insights.
Report Post »navydoc2008
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:53pmAm I just a cold hearted jerk, or is this whole article a waist of space? With all that is going on in our world, country, even states today, and we are wasting time debating on whether or not a father of a child has the right to make a decision concerning his child? Really? Shame on all who were involved in airing out this family issue to the public. We complain about our privacy being violated all of the time but are more than willing to butt into others lives. I agree with sacrehonor in that the whole premis seems fishy. I wouldnt be suprised to find out that after all of the publicity the mother was able to raise $100,000 to take her daughter to disney. I’m honestly glad the child is doing well, but do her a favor and let this story die, let them figure it out on their own as a family, no matter what that looks like.
Report Post »navydoc2008
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:55pmYou posted as I was writing. Great point, great insight!
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 3:17pmI’m with you on this one my friend! My son was also dx with cancer at age 3.5. He is now considered cured but it sure was horrific getting him there! ANOTHER reason to overturn Obamacare. My son would not be alive today if he had been under socialized medicine because he had less than a 5% chance of a six month survival when treatment began. I’m certain the “panel of experts” would have denied him treatment! Wake Up America! This could happen in your family and you too will want the best for your loved ones! Thank God your son is cured! God often works in mysterious ways, doesn’t he?
Report Post »LowIQGenius
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:18pmIf I were in the same situation, I would do the same thing. The purpose of the Make A Wish Foundation is to give terminal patients a glimmer of happiness. This little girl has, despite all odds, made a comeback, and therefore she should give that prize to someone more deserving. It would be selfish and evil to take advantage of a well-meaning organization for personal gain because of a hole in the rules. McKenna will have her whole life to get to Disneyland, and now this trip will go to someone who doesn’t have as much time left. I applaud this man for doing what’s right even though it makes him look bad.
Report Post »mgreenok
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:41pmMy wife and I are volunteer wish granters for Make-A-Wish and it has nothing to do with the current health of the child. It is for children who have or are suffering from a life endangering illness. What these children have to go through during treatment is heartbreaking and they are deserving of a granted wish even after they have won their battle.
Report Post »KevINtampa
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:43pm@LOWIQGENIUS
After reading all of the posts, I‘m surprised more people didn’t see it this way. His little girl is going to survive and he’s taking a principled stance, someone else‘s little girl isn’t going to make it and that’s where the money should go. To those that are shaming the man, saying he should do what’s best for his daughter, IMO he is doing what’s best for his daughter. She will not understand the lesson now for sure, but when she is twenty something she will be better grounded than most. Her family now has years to save and make her dreams happen, other families will not have that future.
As far as the divorce and feuding claims, it seems to me it‘s the mother’s side that is acting spiteful. After all, she is the one that is dragging the family’s dirty laundry to the media in order to enrage the masses at her ex-husband; which speaks volumes of her own character and certainly won’t help her daughter in ANY way.
99% of the time the emotional reaction isn’t the best reaction, such is the case here IMO.
God bless this family and little girl, as well as the family that does get the chance to help their child fulfill a dream in the few months they have left here because of this family’s generosity.
Report Post »Legalette
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 3:27pmGreat points … but what if she dies in six months? The horrible trauma is sometimes not knowing how long you have to live because remission can come back at any time. As a parent, I would forever feel guilty for not giving my child that last bit of happiness when I had the chance.
Regardless of what each of us would do in this type of situation, this is a private family matter.
Report Post »TheValley
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 3:44pmMgreenok, in this case the foundation doesn’t get the final say, the father made his, and I believe it the right one, why don’t all you do-gooders mind your own business.
Report Post »MySacredHonor
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:13pmAm i the only one that smells a rat here? i don’t think we are getting all the story. I’ll reserve opinion till more comes out, but something about this just smells fishy as hell…
We have been tricked by the media so often these days i can‘t believe I’m the only one who is suspicious of this. I think we are only getting part of the story here.
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 9:43amAnd man hasn’t been on the moon, Bush blew up the twin towers, and Muslim terrorists are our friends
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:07pmI agree, if the girl is going to be okay, the trip should go to someone else… But I would hope her parents can get her there on their own…
I hope she gets her wish somehow, since although she may not die young.. She did suffer from something that MANY of us will NEVER understand…
She deserves a trip as well… Just maybe not on Make-a-wish’s dime… I am sure MANY other people will be glad to help the girl (after all its only $3,500, and the bus driver lady got a few hundred thousand…. and she was just being abused for being fat and such… she WASN’T dying..).
I hope you have nothing but good health and good times in your future, little girl.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:57pmI’m sorry but no one “deserves” a trip to disney. Many people all over the world suffer horribly and yet live and many die awful deaths. None of them “deserves” a trip to anywhere. It is a bonus when you get to do what you wish not what you merit or earned. It’s extra.
Report Post »maynardb61
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 3:50pmJust because the doctors say you are in remission, does not mean you are cured. My first wife was in remission 2 different times only to die a year later. Cancer can return as fast as it occurs in the first place.
Report Post »Jayms
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:00pmWait, are we living in a country where we can *force* someone to accept charity? It just feels like we should leave these people alone. He doesn’t want his daughter taking charity – so what? In America you’re free to be a ****** father (within reason). Maybe he’ll feel differently down the road – who are we to tell him when to change? He’s free to make mistakes, too.
Report Post »spfoam1
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:52pmIf he said “I think it should go to kids who only have six months to live” to suggest to his daughter that she has a long life ahead of her, then OK, I’ll give him the benefit of doubt and say he is playing the coach. Even then, he should “cave in” and let her go on the vacation, without him if he wants to make a point. On the other hand, if he said that to get even, then he needs to have his attitude manually adjusted.
Report Post »moreteaplease
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:49pmHe is not much of a man at all. You don’t use your children as leverage in order to get back at your ex-spouse. I just can’t understand how someone can do this to a child that has had to endure so much so early in life…I can’t see it. How can anyone’s heart be so hard?
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:03pmI’ll bet you have a disabled placard because your FAT.
Report Post »LowIQGenius
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:23pmChips1, the next time you go out trolling you might want to look up the difference between your and you’re.
MoreTeaPlease, I think it takes a hardened heart to think it’s at all acceptable to receive charity you no longer need, especially when you will be removing resources from someone more deserving.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:52pmgenius – you said “MoreTeaPlease, I think it takes a hardened heart to think it’s at all acceptable to receive charity you no longer need, especially when you will be removing resources from someone more deserving.”
I agree with you. What the father did isn’t wrong if he motive was this.
Report Post »RANGER1965
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:46pmIf the father truly felt convicted about his belief that the “Make a Wish Foundations” was being misused, and really loved his daughter; an appropriate response would have been.
“I am letting this make a wish trip go to another child more deserving. My wish has come true and my daughter is doing well, in honor of this I am going to do everything possible to ensure my daughter gets her wish to go to Disneyland.”
Instead we get this spiteful trash and bitterness. Leave the kids out of the divorce.
RANGER
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:05pmRight On Ranger… As usual, you got your head on straight….
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:22pmAgreed. I’m not buying his lame excuse for turning down the offer. This appears to me to be some A-hole using this situation to tick off his ex. And he doesnt care if his daughter pays the price. I wonder if this jackarse would turn away publishers clearinghouse if they showed up at his door with a fat check? Don’t hold your breath for a nice crayon-created card from your daughter on Father’s Day, bub.
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:43pmThis man using pure logic… this is what it looks like.
Let your daughter enjoy her life, man.
Report Post »karen162
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:42pmI feel badly for the little girl, but honestly, I wouldn’t give these parents a dime. I wouldn’t trust them to use all the money they raise on themselves.
Report Post »mtsnj
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:41pmwhat a DB, treat every day like it’s her last..take her on the trip already..it could be his last
Report Post »mikeisgus
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:40pmAny parent who will use their child as a weapon against the other parent should be shot in the head like the rabid dog that they are.
Report Post »maumau
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:46pmThis is just the mothers pov, however consider that the father is thinking of the other children that are really suffering that the money could be spent on. His daughter is a survivor and is doing go in good health and think of a little girl dying somewhere but make a wish has over looked them. Just saying every story has two sides especially when parents are split up.
Report Post »TLMOON2112
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:40pmAs a father who has been in this position before, I have to say this dad needs to have his arse kicked. He is NOT doing whats in the best interest of his child. I didnt get to go with my son on his Make-A-Wish trip because of a divorce but robbing him of it never entered my mind. That is absolutely senseless and does more harm then good.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:38pmI abosolutely hate it when adults can’t get pass their hatred for eachother and the kids suffer…either this father is trying to convey his daughter isn’t that sick, hoping she is getting better or just being a *******…I had a niece who died of leukemia…before she died…make a wish granted her a vacation, which happened to be to the counrty her step mother was from, Equador…you tell me what 12 year old dying girl would pick Equador???…makes me think that there is indeed very SELFISH people in the world.
Report Post »randy
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:38pmCute little girl, but I agree with the father……
Report Post »tcseacliff
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:54pmRANDY, YOU ARE AN A*HOLE YOURSELF! how selfish can you be. guys like you and him that really F*up marriages and parent child relations..idiots!
Report Post »LowIQGenius
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:09pmTCSeaCliff, you need to calm down dude. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t make them evil, stupid, or malignant. That response is more indicative of a bad parent/spouse than what Randy said.
Report Post »ReaganBaby
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:36pmPoor kid- I hope she is able to stay cancer free and can enjoy her childhood. Any father who denies happiness for their child is no father in my opinion- that does not mean all children need Disney World to be happy but if a non profit organization feels this little child deserves it and wants to pay for the trip i think the father is cruel to not let it happen, she has been through so much.
Report Post »98Bravo
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:36pmI am of two minds on this one.. i can see the fathers point but I can also see that the little girl went through a lot. I always thought make a wish was about granting the wishes of terminal children with very little time left. If this girl is not terminal then maybe they should apply the money to someone who is. The girl has been through a lot, but it looks like she will live, which is a better gift in itself. If it was my sole decision I would let her go, but I can definately see the fathers point and would like some clarity on the mission of Make A Wish.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:35pmWhat an intellegent man. i raise a lot of money for the Mak a Wish Foundation every year. I see people who have kids that get a wish, then they are at another charity that does the same thing as Make a Wish standing in libe for another free vacation…They suck the charities dry. Isn’t one dying wish enough???
There are also a lot of kids that get better and do not die.
Report Post »fiveft15
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:34pmYou mister are selfish and a poor excuse for a father!
Report Post »DesdemonasCrew
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:34pmWow, that guy is a toad hiding behind reason.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:32pmHopefully someone denies him his wish to keep his mancard. I beleive this is strike 3.
Now that he has crushed his daughters wish, he can go back to pulling the wings off of flies and torturing little puppies.
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