LeeAnn McGraw and Maggie riding on the beach in Corolla.
Every once in a while a story comes along that is a reminder that sometimes people are kind and generous for no reason other than it's the right thing to do. This is one of those stories.
Maggie and her family hail from Wisconsin and for some time she has wanted to ride a horse on the beach.
She's almost 16 years old and for most of her life neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) has been her companion-and not a pleasant companion at all. A very rare genetic condition characterized by benign tumors that grow on the nerves in the brain, in Maggie's case there has been a steady loss of vision until now she has no sight in her right eye and tunnel vision only in her left.
Her family asked the Wisconsin chapter of Make a Wish about Maggie's idea and they called the Eastern NC chapter, who contacted Outer Banks volunteers.
Monday evening on the beach in Corolla Maggie's wish came true.
Riding with LeeAnn McGraw, owner of L&L Farm in Powells Point, Maggie disappeared into the horizon for an hour and a half ride.
It was clear that Maggie and LeeAnn hit it off. When they came back into view the two of them were grinning and chatting away. Holding the reins on Maggie's horse was LeeAnn's boyfriend, Cody Edwards, who should probably get a special nod because he walked the whole way, and the ride was much longer than anyone thought it would be.
There were so many people that contributed to Maggie and her family being able to come to the Outer Banks that it's not possible to list them all. The house they stayed in was donated; looking at how many restaurants donated food and services, the family probably ate for free all week; there were recreational activities for the kids-Maggie has three sisters-and services for the family.
It was a great reminder that sometimes doing the right thing just feels good
