SW Michigan Child With ALS Will Have A Dream Come True This Weekend

7-year-old Kennedy Arney from Berrien County has dreamed of being a police officer and with help from her community, those dreams will come true on Sunday. The village of Three Oaks is planning to make Kennedy an Honorary Police Officer during their annual Flag Day Parade on Sunday, June 17th.

Kennedy lives in St. Joseph with her parents, Jennifer and Michael, and her brother William. She is among the youngest people on record to be diagnosed with Juvenile ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Complex medical issues have been part of her life since birth and will require a lifetime of care. But it doesn't keep her down even though she has had to have several surgeries and extensive testing.

Kennedy is headed into 2nd grade and recently took part in Nana's Run in Grand Rapids, a 5K run/walk that raises money for ALS. She spent the walk with retired Grand Rapids Police Officer Scott Bylsma, who also is diagnosed with ALS, telling him about her dreams of becoming an officer.

On Sunday afternoon, for her very first assignment as a police officer, Kennedy will be escorting her BFF Princess Zoe Brault in the World's Largest Flag Day Parade in Three Oaks. She will be sworn in at 1:30 and the parade begins at 3:00. She will have her very own Three Oaks police uniform and and also receive her own SUV squad car donated by Three Oaks Ford owner Tom Korkos. A picnic will take place after the officer presentation.

Kennedy's medical needs have involved physicians in six states and there are numerous expenses not covered by health insurance. Kennedy's family has a GoFundMe page named "Kennedy's Health Journey" which can be found by CLICKING HERE if you wish to make a donation to their cause.