Nikki Age 13 Pittston, Maine Nikki wishes to have a shopping spree!

Surviving an attack by a man wielding a machete as his weapon, wish child Nikki, 13, of Pittston, escaped the terrible memories for a day with a shopping spree wish at the Maine Mall in South Portland. At the time of her referral, Nikki had sustained life-threatening brain injuries from the horrific incident but chose to wait to have her wish until after her life had returned to as normal as possible.

“I really have to say thank you to Make-A-Wish,” she said. “They have done so much for me. I want to do something for them after this is all over. I want to put on a banquet and raise money for them.”

Before beginning to visit her favorite stores, she received a manicure and pedicure as well as a massage. Nikki’s entourage for her shopping spree included her mother, Melanie; her 18-year-old sister, Ashley; and her 14-year-old cousin, Courtney Perry of Pittston. After their spa treatments, a limousine transported them all to the mall where they were greeted with a red carpet welcome.

Nikki is home-schooled now and she said she “doesn’t have much of a social life. So this is great... just to get away from everything.”

Ashley, said her sister doesn’t just love to shop -- it’s her favorite thing.
“We didn’t expect it to be so cool,” she said. “We didn’t know there would be so many people here greeting her. We thought it would be just us bopping around. It’s sweet.”

All four girls received complimentary makeovers from the Clinique beauty counter at Macy’s. Then, it was on to Build-A-Bear Workshop where Nikki picked out two special teddy bears to make her new special friends.

“I told her the way she smiled when we came in here is very rare,” said her mom, Melanie. “I haven’t seen her smile like that for a really long time. This is such a positive thing. After so many negatives, this is just awesome. Thank you.”

Thank You: Wish Granters Bobbi Kimball and Jennifer Bell, Fabu Salon, Macy’s, Northeast Limousine Services