Junior at El Diamante High School in Visalia is heading to Hawaii after getting her wish granted

Friday, June 16, 2017
Junior at El Diamante High School in Visalia is heading to Hawaii after getting her wish granted
Morgan Kelly, 15, was beaming Thursday when she walked into Roger's Jewelers in Visalia.

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Morgan Kelly, 15, was beaming Thursday when she walked into Roger's Jewelers in Visalia. She got the Hawaiian experience before ever leaving the Central Valley.

"We've tried to plan the trip two times before and we had to cancel, and so we're like third times a charm you know. So I'm anxious, and nervous but really excited."

For eight years, Morgan has been coping with Behcet's Disease-- a rare disorder that causes blood vessel inflammation and other problems. She takes 16 different medications a day to manage that disease and other health issues. Her medical team is more like family, and even one of her nurses showed up for the big reveal.

"We have a select group that's very special here and we rely on them exclusively to coordinate with our team at Stanford so it means a lot to us," said Kari Kelly, Morgan's mother.

After a relatively good year of health in 2016 this year has been rocky-- full of ups and downs.

"She misses a lot of time with her friends and socially it's hard for her. It's hard for the whole family but, it tears me up to see her like that," said Cameron Kelly, Morgan's father.

Despite this Morgan maintained her impressive 4.0 grade point average. She is determined, and even better, always has a good attitude.

"I think it's really important when you have a lot of medical issues or you are not doing good, is you always try to find the bright side-- because there is always a bright side. If there was no bad or no sadness or stuff like that, we wouldn't know what the good times felt like."

To prepare for Waikiki Morgan had gluten free Moana cupcakes, Tiki torches, and other aloha inspired treats. But mostly, she can't wait to leave the stress of reality and escape to paradise with her family.

"I'm just thankful I get to go, so whatever I get to do there, I'm just very excited for."

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