Girl (finally) enjoys normal life after leukemia

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A Lafayette family of four going to gymnastics practice and out to dinner may not seem out of the ordinary for most. But for the Denos, it's something they don't take for granted. Because for two years, it's something they couldn't do together.

Three-year-old Aubrey Deno was pretty in purple at gymnastics Monday. Steps on the beam wearing her favorite color mean so much. It's only been in the last two months she could take them in public.

"It's been amazing," said father Dustin. "She's a normal kid again."

Aubrey took far different and more halting steps as a one-and-a-half year old when News 18 last caught up with the Denos in March 2011, just returning home from a more than 100-day stint at the hospital.

Aubrey was diagnosed with leukemia just after her first birthday, needing two rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant to be healed. Because of the risk of infection and a setback in late 2011, she was only released from isolation in December.

But it hasn't damaged her spirit or smile, or her ability on the rings for that matter.
    
"It's fun," she said.

"The things that we cherish the most are the everyday things that we took for granted before," said Dustin.

There will be no gymnastics next week for Aubrey or big sister Jillian. But there will be a lot of jumping for joy.

The family is heading to Disney World for a special vacation thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, in part made possible by Friday's Hoops for Hope basketball game.

The Denos say it's an amazing gift for which they are thankful.

"It's going to be so exciting to see her face to get to go to Disney World and get to meet Mickey and Minnie and enjoy the things that she loves," said Dustin.

Because that's what a normal kid gets to do, play gymnastics, go to Disney World, meet her favorite characters.

Though that's one thing the girls disagree on.

"Tangled," said Jillian.

"Hug Minnie," said Aubrey.

It's hugs for a brave girl who can just focus on being normal, one step at a time.

You may see Aubrey and the Deno family more in the future. They are part of the marketing campaigns for both the Be the Match campaign and the Riley Children's Foundation.