Cochrane teen has Lavigne wish granted

October 19, 2011
By: Derek Clouthier

Paige Pickering & Avril Lavigne

Wishes certainly don’t always come true, but for Cochrane High School’s Grade 11 honour student Paige Pickering the stars were seemingly limitless Thanksgiving weekend.
After an 18-month wait, the aspiring rock star was granted her wish from the Make A Wish Foundation of Canada when she and her family travelled to Edmonton to meet Paige’s favourite musician, Avril Lavigne.
Along with what Paige’s mother Lorraine described as a ‘complete rock star makeover,’ Paige, with her mother, father Adam and brothers Cody and Nolan were given expenses by Make A Wish to cover the family’s food and gas and were put up in the Fantasyland Hotel at the West Edmonton Mall. Upon arrival, the family discovered a message waiting in the room telling them there was more money for a shopping spree in the world’s largest mall.
Limos, shopping and glamour flooded Paige’s dream weekend, culminating with a Monday concert at the Rexall Centre where the emotional and eager teen got the rare opportunity to meet one of her idols.
“It was fantastic,” said Lorraine. “She sat down with us …she was beautiful. Paige started to cry.”
Armed with an array of questions for the Napanee, Ont. star, and cameras flashing from all directions, Paige did not make the trip empty handed. The young supporter gave Lavigne a special ammolite gemstone, found on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and put onto a necklace from Land and Sea Collectibles.
“She loved it,” said Lorraine of the gift.
The excitement for Paige did not end there.

Paige Pickering, left, meets Avril Lavigne following a concert on Thanksgiving day. Photo submitted

After discovering that Paige lived in the Calgary area and that she did not have tickets to her Tuesday concert at the Saddledome, Lavigne graciously gave the Pickering family seven tickets to the next-day show.
The Pickering family made the trip back to Cochrane slightly sooner than they had originally planned, but certainly didn’t mind. Paige’s 12-year-old brother Cody was able to invite a friend from school to the concert, who, like Paige, is also a huge Lavigne fan.
Paige’s life has been far from easy.
Due to complications during childbirth, Paige suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy, cognitive delay, seizures and hearing loss.
Before moving to Alberta from Ontario three years ago, a tumor was found in Paige’s brain, which has since been successfully removed.
Paige’s mother could not say enough about the Make A Wish Foundation, commending the organization for what she described as a ‘perfect’ weekend and experience.
“To see your child so happy,” recalled Lorraine, “it’s emotional.”
Lavigne spent as much time as possible with Paige prior to her Edmonton show, and even waved to her from the stage during the Calgary concert.
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1. john hartil says:

   October 21, 2011 at 3:11 am

   A nice heartwarming story. Good to hear of the other side to Avril Too often she is subject to criticism
   

   Reply
   
   SOURCE ; http://www.cochraneeagle.com/2011/10/cochrane-teen-has-lavigne-wish-granted/ 

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