Community Grants Byron Teen’s Final Christmas Wishes

A Byron teenager with anthrogryposis had her three Christmas wishes come true.

When I first read this story on WREX, I cried. Not just a small tear or two, but emotions ran over me and I bawled.

Whitney Fritz is an amazing person, who truly reminded me of what the Christmas season is all about. It's about love, family and making memories.

Whitney Fritz is 19-years-old and suffers from anthrogryposis. Anthrogryposis is a restrictive lung disease. Whitney took a turn for the worse when one of her lungs collapsed before Thanksgiving, yet Whitney has held on strong.

Whitney is aware that this would be her last Christmas.

She did have three wishes. One wish, was to have a wonderful Christmas filled with Christmas cards.

Whitney has received over 8,000 Christmas cards all sending love, well wishes and holiday cheer. Many of the cards, according to WREX, were from schools in Winnebago and Stillman Valley, some also from Australia and Sweden.

Her second wish would be that she would be able to come home for Christmas.

Although Whitney has tubes in her throat that keep her connected to a life-support system, doctors released her Thursday from Rockford Memorial Hospital so that she could be home for Christmas.

Her third wish was to go on a date.

This wish became true with the help of a family friend and Whitney Martin.

Kate Van Hise, a family friend came over and got Whitney all dolled up for her date. Whitney's hair was curled and her make-up was done to perfection.

That evening, the doorbell rang and 23-year-old Rockford IceHogs left wing, Garret Ross, was at the door.

He brought flowers, a teddy bear and tacos from Whitney's favorite restaurant, Taco Bell.

They dined on tacos and played cards. It was a wonderful time!

It is stories like these that make my heart melt. If you would like to send a card to Whitney, her address is as follows.

Whitney Fritz, 6802 N. Holly Lane, Byron, IL 61010