Make-A-Wish makes dream come true for Justin Bieber fan

Among the life-size cardboard cut-out, pillows and perfume in a 14-year-old girl's room is a very special Justin Bieber knick-knack.

An autographed picture from the day Katrina Thomas traveled 200 miles to meet her idol lies in her room, waiting for a worthy frame.

It's a day Katrina will never forget. The day Justin Bieber waved at her, and thanked her for a homemade gift.

Katrina, of Wellsville, had an opportunity to meet Justin with other children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation last month. Katrina suffered a spinal cord injury from a car crash when she was 4 and has been receiving aggressive treatment since.

Shelly Staton, her aunt, contacted the foundation last spring, asking if it could grant Katrina's wish. It was possible -- but without approval to fly from a doctor, Katrina had to patiently wait until Justin Bieber stopped in a city her family could drive to.

Once Bieber's New York City stop was confirmed for November, Katrina and her family packed their bags and headed out. Friday, Nov. 18, she ate breakfast at the Hard Rock Café on Broadway while Justin's movie, "Never Say Never," was projected onto large screens.
All of the children were called to the front of the dining room as Justin walked in, waving. Katrina's face froze, smiling as her mother snapped pictures from across the room.

 Tammy Thomas, Katrina's mother, said:

"She's been on vacations before. We took her to Disney and on cruises,"
 "But this is something she really wanted, and we couldn't have done it for her."

Justin Bieber answered questions and then had private meetings with each of the children. When it was Katrina's turn, she was too star-struck to talk, but couldn't stop smiling, Tammy said.

They leaned in for a group picture, and Katrina presented Justin Bieber with a glass coaster with her picture in it, a token to show how appreciative she was. His "Thank you, Katrina" is still emblazoned in her head.

"He's my favorite singer," Katrina said. "And he's cute."