A Wish Come True
A local child's dream will become a reality thanks to Make-A-Wish Foundation
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor
K odi James Lovett loves race cars and is a big fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Thanks to the Make-AWish

Kodi James Lovett plays with his mother, Rose McCoy, and proudly displays his NASCAR toy racer. The 3-year-old will soon meet his idol, Dale Earnhardt Jr., thanks to the Make- A-Wish Foundation. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

Foundation, the 3-

year-old son of James Lovett and Rose McCoy of Jenkins County will get to meet his idol in May when the family flies to Delaware for "Wish Day."

Kodi suffers from DiGeorge Syndrome and a rare heart condition stemming from a missing Chromosone 22, explained his mother. To date he has under- gone nine surgeries to correct blood flow to and from his heart and other malfunctions. Kodi's condition is so rare that doctors at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG), Augusta, say they have never treated another case like his, and his prognosis is uncertain, Rose said.

"The heart muscle is good, but everything else that makes the heart work is wrong," she explained in simple terms.

It was Kodi's cardiologist at MCG who first suggested that Kodi might be a candidate for the Make-a-Wish program and who instigated the process. Someone from the organization then called the family, and volunteers visited to determine what Kodi's "wish" might be. Arrangements were then made to make his wish come true.

Because of recent surgery, Kodi is unable to jump on his trampoline, ride his batterypowered 4-wheeler or play "rough". The limitations do not dampen his young enthusiasm for "racing" through life, however.

"Kodi is a happy child. He doesn't let his condition get him down," said his mother.