Ever since she was a little girl, Fatima Nasser has dreamed of touring Walt Disney World. The 15-year-old girl has never had the opportunity to go, however, because she suffers from a life-threatening lung condition that prevents her from travelling.
On Thursday, the Make-A-Wish foundation of Eastern Ontario brought the magic of Disney to her. For one day, Nasser’s dreams came true and she became a fairytale princess.
The excited teenager was treated to a full day of surprises all over Ottawa. Nasser began her extravagant day with a ride in a white limousine that drove her to a local Best Buy for an exclusive shopping spree. She received a cart full of wrapped gifts as soon as she arrived.
Next up, the charity organized a trip to the York Street Spa where Nasser received the royal treatment from head to toe. She was given a professional manicure, pedicure and had her makeup done.
Nasser followed the spa experience with a visit to the upscale Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in the city’s downtown. When she arrived at the presidential suite, where she would be spending the night with her family, she was greeted with a special surprise waiting in the room for her - a pink, sparkly princess gown. After twirling in the hotel room with her poofy new dress and a big smile on her face, Nasser told CTV Ottawa on Thursday that she definitely felt like a princess.
“It’s been unbelievable. I can’t even explain it,” Nasser gushed. “I’m all done up and everything.”
After a gourmet dinner by Creative Kosher Catering, Nasser and her family took a horse-drawn carriage ride to the National Arts Centre to take in Broadway Across Canada’s production of Cinderella. Before the show began, Nasser had the opportunity to meet Cinderella herself backstage, Tatyana Lubov, who plays the title role in the production. Lubov joked that she was jealous of the special day Nasser was enjoying.
“It sounds beautiful,” Lubov said. “Fancy restaurant, makeup done, nails done, it sounds like a dream.”
Nasser’s mother, Zeinab Nasser, agreed that the day was a dream come true for her daughter.
“I’m really happy for my daughter. She deserves it,” Zeinab said. “Since birth, she’s been through a lot.”
The CEO of Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario, Tanya Desjardins, was there at the theatre co-ordinating the evening’s festivities to make sure everything went as planned.
“They are going through tough challenges and any ounce of hope that we can give them, keeps them wanting to fight,” Desjardins said.
As the guest of honour, Nasser sat in the Queen’s Box during the performance. The audience was also given glowing blue star necklaces to wear in tribute to the teenager.
Nasser’s own Cinderella story went off without a hitch. The teenager was able to leave her worries behind to enjoy a day that she would never forget.
“It’s like the highlight of my life,” Nasser said, beaming.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Eric Longley
