Dream comes true for Saskatoon girl with custom ‘she shed’

Rachel Glines had one of her best days ever Friday.

The seven-year-old Saskatoon girl was granted her own custom-made “she shed” from Make-A-Wish Saskatchewan.

Several friends and family members gathered to surprise her with the special gift. Rachel was expecting to come home to a giant pumpkin in the backyard, but soon realized there was another giant item waiting for her.

The second her blindfold was removed to reveal the new gift, squeals and giggles ensued.

“I was like, ‘What?’ ” Glines said when she saw her brand-new “she shed” for the first time. “I was super-excited.”

Through the combined efforts of Warman Home Centre and Pacesetter Homes, the shed was built just the way Glines wanted it.

Jessica Siemens, the marketing Manager at Warman Home Centre, said she loved being involved with the project every step of the way.

“I just knew that her heart would melt,” Siemens said. “I just love all of the specifics that Rachel had, and how determined she was.

“She wanted stairs and not a ladder. She wanted her nectarine rack with nectarines. Just the fact that she knew what she wanted made it easy.”

However, there has been nothing easy so far with the struggles Glines and her family have been through.

“Rachel was born with a genetic condition that affects her heart, her liver and her bones,” said Lisa Glines, Rachel’s mother.

“She has had three surgeries to reconstruct her skull. She has had some issues with her vision, and with her hearing, and a liver dysfunction, so Rachel has been on medication through most of her life — just things you never want to see for your kid.”

Despite the struggles Rachel has been through in her journey, the Glines family is choosing to see this situation from a positive perspective.

“To be able to show your child that life is positive, that there are all of these people (and) all of these organizations that are willing to set aside their time and efforts to make a wish like Rachel’s come true is really special,” Lisa said with a smile.