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.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Dieeja Collier and 2-year-old son Ethan are going home for the holidays thanks to hospice workers. (Photo by Julia Reynolds/myfoxatlanta)
