Her favorite television show is “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” her favorite subject in school is math and her favorite singer is Garth Brooks.

Twelve-year-old Laurie Kuck got the chance to meet her favorite performer on Friday night, right before Garth’s second concert in Ames.

Laurie and her family from Boise, Idaho came to Ames last week thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation.

Laurie suffers from jamplin schwartzism, a life threatening disease that involves muscle deterioration. She is not expected to live past the age of 18.

Catherine Kuck, Laurie’s mother, said, “Her body is practically all backwards.”

Her joints swell out at all times, Catherine said, and up until last year, Laurie was legally blind. With the help of surgery, she now has better vision.

Last year, Laurie asked her parents to call the Make a Wish Foundation so her wish could be granted.

“She’s always been a Garth Brook’s fan,” said Kevin Kuck, Laurie’s father. “She wanted to go where Garth Brooks was.”

When Laurie first saw Garth on a video, she was very surprised by the way he looked. He looked a lot older than what she expected, Catherine said.

Laurie’s parents said she has been raised on country music. She has seen many country acts perform including Sawyer Brown, Brooks & Dunn, Rick Trevino, David Ball, Billy Dean, Reba McEntire and Alan Jackson.

Laurie loves country music so much, she even wants to be country singer Shania Twain for Halloween.

Kevin is the only one in the family who doesn’t like country music. “We keep telling him that she was raised on country music, so he better get used to it,” Catherine said.

While staying at the Holiday Inn in Ames, Laurie noticed Garth’s buses in the parking lot.

“She wanted to knock on every door until she found him,” Catherine said.

On Friday afternoon, Laurie was treated to a short campus tour by the Student Alumni Association (SAA). Michael Haas and Lindsey Miller, members of the SAA, gave Laurie, her parents and her three younger sisters a brief tour of the campus.

Because of the cold conditions, the Kuck family was only able to visit the Virtual Reality Project. The plans had called for the family to meet Cy and tour the horse barns.

At the Virtual Reality Project, Laurie put on special glasses and used a control stick which enabled her to take a stroll around the Iowa State Campus.

“I bet she’s enjoying that,” Kevin said, as he was watching her. “It’s probably a real delight for her, with the magnifying glasses.”

Laurie’s sisters, Rosa, 9, Robin, 8, and Kristin, 6, also slipped the glasses on and experienced the virtual reality exhibit.

After the virtual reality campus tour, Laurie, who sits in a wheelchair, traveled through space, while her parents and siblings looked on.

After experiencing the virtual reality exhibit, Haas gave Laurie a Cyclone watch. “Oh, thank you,” she said. “Thanks.”

Miller also gave Laurie a “Cyclone for the day” certificate.

The Make a Wish Foundation is an international organization that grants wishes to children who are between the ages of two and a half and 18, and who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness.

Drew McLellan, a volunteer for the Make a Wish Foundation who handles marketing and promotions, said the kids have to qualify for a wish.

McLellan said Laurie came to Iowa to see Garth because of the timing and the distance. “The Ames concert made the most sense,” he said.

The Idaho chapter worked with the Iowa chapter of the Make a Wish Foundation to provide a way for Laurie and her family to get here. The average wish in Iowa costs $4,500.

“We’re completely funded by fund raisers,” McLellan said.

Last year the Iowa chapter granted nearly 100 wishes. Of all the wishes, McLellan said 60 percent of the kids want to go to Disney World.

“Overall, the celebrity type people are amazing,” McLellan said. “Celebrities are very gracious with their time.”