Make-A-Wish helping 19-year-old with heart condition pursue dream of becoming an artist

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A 19-year-old Make-A-Wish kid with a dream of becoming an artist got a big boost towards her goals with a shopping spree. Minya “Minnieee” Johnson got to grab anything she wanted inside the United Art and Education store for free.

The aspiring artist is battling with a heart condition that forces her to spend most of her time at home. However, when Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana told her she could grab all the tools she needed, she ran with the opportunity.

K.J. McGlinn with Make-A-Wish talked about what it felt like to help get Johnson started on the path to her dream.

“It’s so amazing to see her be able to have this day because there are so many no’s,” McGlinn said. “No you can’t go there. No you can’t touch this, no you can’t do this thing and today she’s walked into this store that is full of thousands and thousands of things that she loves and she just gets a yes to it all.”

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana is still making dreams come true for kids like Minya with life-threatening illnesses. Often, instead of putting together trips and group events, they’re delivering wishes to kids at their homes and online. Click here for more information.