Sebring teen treated to Make A Wish shopping spree

Imagine being a 15-year-old Sebring girl and being whisked away in a stretch limo for a shopping adventure like no other.

That's what happened to Tessa Shoemaker as part of a Make A Wish Foundation gift to the Sebring High School junior.

Tessa, who has lupus, arthritis and fiber myalgia, was surprised with the shopping spree at a Boca Raton mall May 23.

"I had imagined what it would be like but I didn't know when it would happen," Tessa said about her shopping excursion.

She was registered with Make A Wish as a patient at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg while undergoing treatment and knew her wish would be granted, but had no idea when or where. Her condition is life-threatening, but with quality treatment and a little luck, she'll live a good life, according to her father, Jack.

Richard Kelly, vice president and chief operating officer for Make A Wish of South Florida, said it's a misconception that his organization is only for terminally ill children. It serves children who have life-threatening cases. In Tessa's case, her lupus has damaged 30 percent of her kidney function, and other parts of her body are damaged as well. Arthritis causes joint problems, but all in all she's doing well.

Wish granted

While visiting her uncle in Jupiter, Fla., a stretch limo pulled up out front for an astounded Tessa. She and her family, including her younger brother, Ben, sister, Emily, and others made the drive to the Town Center at Boca Raton, filled with exclusive shops of all kinds.

With more than $2,500 to spend, Tessa spent almost four hours getting a makeover, a laptop computer, video games, iPod gear, camera, clothes and just about everything else a 15-year-old would ever want.

"It was 20 times better than I ever imagined," Tessa said.

Two personal shoppers helped her navigate the mall and its shops, along with a personal security guard, making sure the shopping trip was all she had dreamed of. Most shops in the mall pulled out all the stops to greet her and give her special gifts.

"The people were just unbelievable," said her father, Jack. "One person was in tears."

How it began

It started with what Tessa Shoemaker and her parents thought was a case of hives. She was 9 years old at the time and redness and bumps on her legs and arms caused some concern, but they had no idea who the real culprit was.

After Tessa's face began to swell and she started feeling lethargic, her mother thought something else was going on and got her to a hospital. Doctors at first thought it might be leukemia, due to all the health issues and a low blood count. Doctors at Children's Hospital then determined she had lupus.

Lupus, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs.

Jack said the initial news rocked his family to the core.

"Everybody looks at it differently, but it's like everybody in the family is healthy, and then ..." he paused. "It's devastating at first."

As the family learned more, the shock gave way to a better understanding of the disease. Jack said lupus typically affects older people - especially women - and it's more serious in children. However, his family hopes that the disease will go into remission when she gets a little older, which sometimes happens.

Besides being a high school student, Tessa works at a daycare center. She tells the children there that, "When my body gets sick, it flips out and attacks my organs."

She's a happy and good natured teenager who doesn't hesitate to explain her ailments, but isn't defined by them. Perhaps it's because of the incredible acceptance she's received by the community.

Jack said when Tessa first was diagnosed the local community stepped up in a big way - financially and spiritually.

"All that praying for us made it bearable," he said. "There was a lot of hope and good things came from it."

She has attended Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis for several years and wants to become a camp counselor in another year or two. The camp is part of the late Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall camps for children.

Despite her health problems, Tessa is hoping she gets another experience at the camp, where she's made many friends and loves all the activities.

"We believe it happened to her for a reason," Jack said. "It gives her this opportunity to help others."