Dexter girl beats odds, has wish granted

When Mary McCoy gave birth six years ago this week to her daughter, Ashley Ann, she and Ashley's father, James Gahard, expected a healthy daughter, much like Ashley's big sister, Amanda, who is now eight. Doctors did not foresee any problems with the baby throughout Mary's pregnancy. So, the couple was unprepared when little Ashley entered the world on Aug. 3, 2004 with a diagnosis of a rare disorder called Trisomy E or Edwards Syndrome.

Trisomy E is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 18th chromosome. The disorder is named after John H. Edwards, who first described the syndrome in 1960.

The syndrome has a very low rate of survival, resulting from heart abnormalities, kidney malformations, and other internal organ disorders. Because only about 3 percent of cases of Trisomy E are likely to result in a live birth, the total number of live births is estimated to be 37 annually. Only 50 percent of live-born infants live to two months, and only five to 10 percent survive their first year of life.

Ashley Gahard has beaten all odds. She celebrated her sixth birthday this week. And, with the help of Dexter business couple, that birthday was a very special one indeed.

Working with the Make a Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich to enrich their lives, Kris Willis and his wife, Leagh, of Kris Willis RVs, recently presented Ashley and her family a 2010 Catalina 26-foot recreational vehicle, complete with awning and gas grill hookup. The Willis' offered the unit at about half its cost, with the Make A Wish Foundation picking up the tab for the remainder of the camping unit.

"It's just an incredible gesture," said Ashley's mother between her tears as the family was officially presented with the keys to the RV.

"Ashley loves the outdoors and loves the water, and to be able to give her both in this kind of comfort is something we could only have dreamed of.

"We just cannot express our gratitude enough," Ashley's father agreed.