Vikki Shoots For The Moon, Lands Among The Stars Thanks To MAW

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- During our last Make-A-Wish miles drive we introduced you to Vikki. A 16 year old from Minneapolis who dreamed of going to Space Camp.

Last summer, she got to go on her wish trip, so we caught up with her to hear all about it.

At Space Camp, instructors sent Vikki through astronaut training and tasked her with mission simulations.

"I was supposed to be on the Orion project which would be the first people going on to Mars," Vikki said.

With a passion for science and robotics, Vikki was in her element. But it's a long way from where her disease has often left her.

Vikki has a blood disorder that causes rapid swelling called hereditary angioedema. It can pop up at any time without warning. And it did the day before she was supposed to fly to Alabama for her wish trip.

But Vikki recovered quickly and made an on-schedule launch.

"Oh, my gosh! I was repairing the satellite. My arm was too short to reach the other satellite to replace it," she said.

That smile -- and joy -- returned. This wish trip was a gift for both mother and daughter.

"I seen life brought back to my daughter. Seeing her so happy. And proud of her -- of all the things she has accomplished," her mother said.

After college Vikki wants to pursue a career in science, working at NASA. So, she treated the wish trip like an internship -- trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible.