A Kentucky teen with a deadly illness came to the city to fulfill a lifelong dream: to climb the steps of the Statue of Liberty. <\/p>\n
But Morgan Jones, who is also legally blind, was turned away thanks to the government shutdown caused by Congress. <\/p>\n
Now the 14-year-old will return home to Ashland Sunday without having stepped foot on Liberty Island. Her family says she may never get the chance to visit again. <\/p>\n
Shes heartbroken. Her whole dream was to climb up the 354 steps to the crown, said her mother, April Keelin. <\/p>\n
Jones was born with glutaric acidemia Type 2, a disease that impairs the bodys ability to break down fat and protein. She must eat every three hours or risk a brain hemorrhage. Only 50 people in the world are said to have the disease. <\/p>\n
Her city trip was paid for by the Lexington Dream Factory, a charity that fulfills sick kids wishes. <\/p>\n
Given the chance to go anywhere in the country, Morgan chose her favorite monument. Her journey was featured in Ashlands Daily Independent newspaper. <\/p>\n
But it was arranged long before the feds put Lady Liberty and all other national parks on lockdown Tuesday in the shutdown. <\/p>\n
Keelin, a music teacher, said that they cant afford to return and that Morgan may not ever be well enough to come back. <\/p>\n
We dont know if wed ever get back to do this for her again, the mother said. <\/p>\n
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See the article here:<\/p>\n
Shutdown denies sick girl her Statue of Liberty dream<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A Kentucky teen with a deadly illness came to the city to fulfill a lifelong dream: to climb the steps of the Statue of Liberty. But Morgan Jones, who is also legally blind, was turned away thanks to the government shutdown caused by Congress. Now the 14-year-old will return home to Ashland Sunday without having stepped foot on Liberty Island. Continue reading