Shutdown denies sick girl her Statue of Liberty dream

A Kentucky teen with a deadly illness came to the city to fulfill a lifelong dream: to climb the steps of the Statue of Liberty.

But Morgan Jones, who is also legally blind, was turned away thanks to the government shutdown caused by Congress.

Now the 14-year-old will return home to Ashland Sunday without having stepped foot on Liberty Island. Her family says she may never get the chance to visit again.

Shes heartbroken. Her whole dream was to climb up the 354 steps to the crown, said her mother, April Keelin.

Jones was born with glutaric acidemia Type 2, a disease that impairs the bodys ability to break down fat and protein. She must eat every three hours or risk a brain hemorrhage. Only 50 people in the world are said to have the disease.

Her city trip was paid for by the Lexington Dream Factory, a charity that fulfills sick kids wishes.

Given the chance to go anywhere in the country, Morgan chose her favorite monument. Her journey was featured in Ashlands Daily Independent newspaper.

But it was arranged long before the feds put Lady Liberty and all other national parks on lockdown Tuesday in the shutdown.

Keelin, a music teacher, said that they cant afford to return and that Morgan may not ever be well enough to come back.

We dont know if wed ever get back to do this for her again, the mother said.

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Shutdown denies sick girl her Statue of Liberty dream