By Ashley McLeod, staff writer
Jan 29, 2016, 15:23
Local country music artist Brittany Marie has given one little girl with a rare genetic disorder the chance to make her dream of meeting famous country artist Carrie Underwood a reality.
Haley Hayes, who lives with her family in Bracey County, near Lake Gaston, was diagnosed with Infantile Onset Pompe Disease in 2006 when she was 6 months old.
The disorder affects the functions of the heart and muscles.
Without treatment, the disorder is fatal, with most of those diagnosed not surviving infancy.
Through a relatively new treatment involving Myozyme infusions, Haley has beaten the odds and is now 10 years old. Doctors told the family she would not make it to her first birthday.
In 2014, Haley, who is in love with country music, attended a concert where local artist Brittany Marie was performing. The two met and the relationship between them began.
Haley was asked by Brittany to be a part of a music video she was filming, and the friendship between them blossomed even more.
“That’s when we really became friends,” said Brittany. “I don’t call her a fan anymore; we’re friends.”
Brittany said the two would Skype each other, and Haley would send her videos of herself performing Brittany’s songs.
Haley was able to receive a wish from the Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia and was deciding between an opportunity to attend the Country Music Awards or to meet Carrie Underwood, her favorite artist.
“She ended up going with the trip to the Country Music Awards,” said Haley’s mother, Krystal Hayes.
At the awards, she would have the opportunity to meet Underwood, as well as other artists attending.
In 2013, the family submitted Haley’s wish to the group and were told it would probably happen in 2016.
“We were told it would take a few years, but then a few months before the awards show they called and it got moved up,” said Hayes.
Disappointment hit when the family arrived at the awards ceremony and found out that Underwood would not be attending the awards ceremony, due to an impending due date for her child.
“Unfortunately it was two or three weeks before Carrie Underwood had her baby,” Brittany said.
Although Haley and her family still had a great experience at the awards show, Haley’s mom and Brittany still wanted to make her ultimate wish of meeting Underwood come true.
Underwood had also recently announced her new tour dates for 2016, so they tried to get the message out hoping it would get someone’s attention.
“The concert information came out, and Haley’s birthday was coming up, so we were trying to get it out on social media for Haley,” said Hayes.
The post was shared more than 100 times and reached more than 73,000 people. Even though the word got out and they had a few leads, the family never heard anything.
Brittany and her mother posted on social media, called and emailed everyone they could think of that may be able to provide some connection to the top country artist so that Haley could have her dream come true.
Brittany was determined, like she is with everything in her life, to make the meeting happen for Haley.
“Knowing how bad she wanted it, I really wanted to make it happen,” said Brittany.
Finally, when they were about to give up, Brittany was able to get in contact with someone at 97.3 the Eagle, a country music radio station in Virginia Beach, who responded to the email sent by Brittany.
“I had tears in my eyes trying to read it,” said Brittany. “They said they would work on taking care of it.”
Brittany said they had purchased tickets for a show at the Hampton Coliseum, and everything was a go for Haley’s dream to come true.
At her 10th birthday celebration, it was revealed to Haley that she would be getting the chance to take part in a meet and greet with Carrie Underwood when they attended the concert in Hampton on Feb. 20 of this year.
“She’s been counting down the days ever since,” Hayes said.
“Brittany is an amazing person, her and Haley really found a connection.”
Brittany said that the reason she worked so hard on making the meeting happen was that Haley inspired her. Even though she has a terminal disease, Haley is never negative, is always grateful, and never takes anything for granted.
“It’s nice to see good things happen to those that deserve it. I’ve never met a child that is such a bright ray of light. She gives me so much inspiration. She’s given me more reason to do what I do,” said Brittany. “Doing something for someone who you know appreciates it, and admires you, it gives me all the more reason to keep doing more.”
