Girl with terminal illness to go on fairy tale prom date with grandpa

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- A little girl with a rare, terminal disease will not miss out on prom after her grandfather stepped in with an invitation to the big dance.

Local station WCCO reports Lydia Wahlstrom, 11, is going to prom a few years early because she has Batten disease, a rare and fatal neurological disease that begins with losing your eyesight and having seizures. The disease, which Lydia's brother Drew also has, gets progressively worse with time.

Lydia's mother, Laura Wahlstrom, explained the effects on the body are similar to ALS. Lydia's grandfather wanted Lydia to experience prom while she could enjoy it.

Todd Wahlstrom, Lydia's father, said, "It isn't going to be an option for her to do in a few years and we don't know what that timeline is so doing something like that right now that she's capable of doing it and have joy makes all the sense in the world."

Lydia's fairytale is complete with a dress that she says is part Cinderella, part Disney character Elsa.

The dress, as well as Lydia's hair and nails and other prom needs, were discounted or donated to the family.

Lydia's mom said, "It's a great thing, a great show of what this disease has brought about because the disease is ugly and there's not much good you can say about that. But I think we can say that we have been blessed and can see such good things in community."

Prom is this Saturday at Fosston High School.

If you would like to help the Wahlstrom family, a fund has been set up for their benefit.