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.
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Dieeja Collier and 2-year-old son Ethan are going home for the holidays thanks to hospice workers. (Photo by Julia Reynolds/myfoxatlanta)
