Local boy headed to Disney World via Make-A-Wish Foundation
Kyler Bebber, age 8 of Taylorsville, has been awarded a trip to Disney World by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Pictured above: Kyler and his sister, Adalyn, 4, and Make-A-Wish Foundation representatives in the background.
Local resident Kyler Bebber, age 8, who had a successful heart transplant last year, learned on Saturday, October 15, that he will soon be going to Walt Disney World in Florida, thanks to the generosity of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Kyler is the son of Shaun and Alisha Bebber of the Ellendale Community. A one-year celebration of Kyler’s transplant surgery was held October 15 at Three Forks Baptist Church Family Life Center.
Kyler’s heart transplant last year at Levine’s Childrens Hospital in Charlotte was needed due to his heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). According to the National Institute of Health, HCM is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes thick. In many cases, only one part of the heart is thicker than the other parts. This thickening can make it harder for blood to leave the heart, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood. It also can make it harder for the heart to relax and fill with blood. It is an inherited condition. Younger people are likely to have a more severe form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, the condition is seen in people of all ages.
Shaun, 34, and Alisha, 36, also have a daughter, Adalyn, age 4. She has also been diagnosed with HCM. Doctors are monitoring Adalyn for any symptoms of HCM.
Kyler’s grandparents all reside in Ellendale. They include paternal grandparents Ricky and Linda Bebber and maternal grandparents Mike and Kim Payne.
Kyler Bebber is shown here shortly after his heart transplant surgery in October 2015.
These gift bags were donated to Levine’s Childrens Hospital by well-wishers at Kyler Bebber’s party Oct. 15, 2016, which celebrated the one-year anniversary of his heart transplant.
