Hospice workers are giving a 2-year-old boy and his mother their Christmas wish – a flight home to visit family in Cleveland, Ohio in time for the holidays.
Dieeja Collier, 19, moved to Atlanta to go to college. Her 2-year-old son Ethan has been in hospice his entire young life. He suffers from hydranencephaly, a condition in which the brain stops growing and fills with fluid.
"I always try and see the positive side of things. From outside looking in, it seems negative and it seems like it's hard. And it really is hard but I'm just grateful to have this time with him and I'm grateful God allowed me to be a mom," said Collier.
That remarkable attitude impressed Harbor Grace volunteer Adam Fellabaum and spurred him to find a way to get the two home. He arranged for a free flight, and he and nurse Ginni Jackson will accompany them.
"It's what every family should be able to get. That what holidays are about," said Fellabaum. "It's been the best Christmas gift of all for me."
"When you find out there's somebody who needs something and you can do something for them that they can't do for themselves – that's when life feels full," said Jackson.
Dieeja is scheduled to fly out on Friday morning.
"It's just going to be great- that's all I can say. I'm just really excited to see my sisters and see my family," said Collier.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:48 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:48:00 GMT
Local families are taking a serious look at storm shelters in the aftermath of Monday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma.
Local families are taking a serious look at storm shelters in the aftermath of Monday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma. Those shelters could mean the difference between life and death when faced with one of these powerful storms.
A federal court has struck down Fayette County's at-large method of electing members to certain county offices, saying the method was a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
A federal court has struck down Fayette County's at-large method of electing members to certain county offices, saying the method was a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
Two Clark Atlanta University students who call themselves brothers despite being from opposite sides of the world have graduated as valedictorian and salutatorian.
Two Clark Atlanta University students who call themselves brothers despite being from opposite sides of the world have graduated as valedictorian and salutatorian.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:17:02 GMT
For the first time since the death under mysterious circumstances of hop music mogul Chris Lighty nine months ago, his grieving mother is breaking her silence.
For the first time since the death under mysterious circumstances of hop music mogul Chris Lighty nine months ago, his grieving mother is breaking her silence.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:52 GMT
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:25:20 GMT
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:21:42 GMT
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Dieeja Collier and 2-year-old son Ethan are going home for the holidays thanks to hospice workers. (Photo by Julia Reynolds/myfoxatlanta)
