It’s impossible not to smile when you’re around 12-year-old Riley-Ann from Plymouth, Massachusetts. She’s the kind of girl who brings laughter when you least expect it, and her genuine kindness makes her light shine even brighter. But what truly sets her apart is the remarkable courage she shows every single day.
Riley-Ann was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a complex group of hereditary connective tissue disorders that affect the skin, joints, and blood vessels. According to the Ehlers-Danlos Society, EDS is characterized by symptoms including skin hyperelasticity, joint hypermobility, atrophic scarring, and fragile blood vessels. Living with EDS often means navigating chronic pain, frequent dislocations, and a host of other health challenges that can be overwhelming at any age.
Behind Riley-Ann’s contagious laughter is a story of perseverance. She has endured countless medical appointments, procedures, and treatments that would test the strength of even the most seasoned adults. Yet, she smiles through it all. “She’s the most caring and funniest girl I’ve ever known,” her mother says. “Even when she’s hurting, she lights up the room.”
Before Miracle Flights entered their lives, Riley-Ann’s mother faced a daunting reality. The specialized, life-changing care her daughter required was available only at Children’s Hospital Colorado, thousands of miles from their home in Massachusetts. “I was overwhelmed,” she recalls. “Trying to figure out how to afford cross-country trips twice a year felt impossible.”
That is when Miracle Flights became their lifeline.
Since 2021, Miracle Flights has been honored to fly Riley-Ann and her mother to every critical appointment, ensuring she receives expert care regardless of the distance. “This organization means the world to our family,” her mother shared. “We don’t know where we’d be without Miracle Flights. They’ve never let us face this journey alone.”
Thanks to those flights and the specialized treatment they made possible, Riley-Ann is now thriving in ways that once seemed out of reach. She is happier, more relaxed, and less anxious. Her days are no longer consumed by hospital visits; instead, she spends more time at home, being a kid and embracing life. “She’s brave,” her mother says proudly. “She knows what she needs to do every day to manage her condition, and she does it with strength and grace.”
For Riley-Ann’s mother, the transformation has been equally profound. “I truly don’t know how I would have made it without Miracle Flights,” she said. “Because of them, I don’t have to choose between my daughter’s health and financial survival. We can focus on living.”
Riley-Ann still faces a long journey ahead. But now, it is one filled with hope, laughter, and the peace of knowing that distance will never stand in the way of her care or her future.
