Last modified: Sunday, August 5, 2007 11:43 PM EDT
Seven-year-old Attleboro resident Julia, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, sits in her bedroom that A Wish Come True made over to look like a fairy fantasy land. The fairy at right is a painting of Julia. (Staff photo by TOM MAGUIRE)

A magical makeover for city girl

ATTLEBORO - Seven-year-old Julia's favorite television show is "Extreme Makeover." Her favorite book is about fairies.

The organization A Wish Come True has combined her two loves to make over her bedroom into a fairy fantasy land.

Julia - whose mother asked that her daughter's last name not be published - suffers from muscular dystrophy. The organization grants wishes to children such as Julia with serious diseases.

Julia is one of about 70 children who will have their wish granted this year.

Interior designer Patti Wagner Miller of North Attleboro came up with the concept for the room and artist Christine Hannon painted the fairy fantasy mural on the wall.

The room is awash in pink, Julia's favorite color. Her hospital bed has been turned into a princess bed complete with a decorative canopy.

The mural features Julia as a fairy flying next to a unicorn and overlooking a lake and a castle.

"I love it," Julia said. "Whenever I step into my room, it's like I'm in a fairy world."

Her mother said the room makeover has made Julia feel that dreams can come true, even for children with disabilities.

She said it was important to Julia to have a bed that does not look like a hospital bed.

"We just feel so grateful to everyone involved," she said.

The final product was supposed to be a surprise, but Julia could not wait to see it, so she was let into the room to watch the mural being painted.

Beverly Molles of A Wish Come True called the room "magic," and said the goal of the organization is to bring a little magic into the lives of children.

Julia's mother said all the people involved have been extremely generous and helpful.

"It's nice to know that there are still wonderful people in the world that are givers, especially to children with special needs," she said.

Jim hand can be reached at 508-236-0399 or jhand@thesunchronicle.com.