Mickey from 'Disney on Ice' visits UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Ella Weisbord had a simple request as she waited to meet a Disney character Thursday in UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
“I want to dance with Mickey,” the 5-year-old from Cheswick said.
Mickey Mouse was happy to comply.
Ella’s mother wheeled the girl up to Mickey for a meet-and-greet … and dance.
“Seeing Mickey makes her happy,” Michelle Weisbord said. “This was special for her. This was a nice break.”
Mickey is in town for “Disney on Ice: Road Trip Adventures” this weekend at PPG Paints Arena. He took photos with children at the hospital and made them smile.
“We love bringing the Disney magic to these children who are struggling a lot,” said D.J. Weiss, “Disney on Ice” tour coordinator. “These children can’t make it to the show, so we come to them.”
Michelle Weisbord wasn’t sure her daughter would be able to leave the room because of her current condition. Her 22nd brain surgery is scheduled for next week. But the “nurses on floor 6A” made it happen.
Ella has hydrocephalus, a condition that causes buildup of fluid in the cavities within the brain. The excess fluid puts pressure on the brain.
The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is the surgical insertion of a drainage system, called a shunt. It consists of a long, flexible tube with a valve that keeps fluid from the brain flowing in the right direction and at the proper rate.
Ella , who is in kindergarten at Allegheny Valley School District’s Acmetonia Elementary, was diagnosed at 10 days old because of a virus. She will have to deal with the condition her entire life, her mother said. It will be her 10th surgery since December. Michelle Weisbord and husband, David, told their daughter they thought it would be Mickey Mouse, her favorite.
“I was hoping it was Mickey,” Michelle Weisbord said. “We told her that’s who we thought it would be.”
Logan McGee was equally thrilled. The 9-month-old from Wellsburg, W.Va., clutched a stuffed Mickey animal as he met the Disney character. Two days ago, he underwent a colostomy reversal procedure.
Logan loves Mickey, his mother Ashlee McGee said.
“This is so nice they do this for the kids,” she said. “It made Logan smile.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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