Katy Syphon-Piper, at 32 years old, is a fighter. And so is her daughter Ava. This is a story about how they won the fight for their lives and came out better for it.

Ava, 5, was not doing well. Ava was struggling with major health issues, including immunodefiency, asthma, reflux disease and seasonal allergies. The little girl couldn’t breathe.

With the help of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Katy learned how to teach her daughter to clear her airways by loosening the mucus in her throat.

“There is value in fighting,” Katy said. “There is value in being a ‘scrapper.’ I’ve never been ashamed of working hard.”

Katy is a recovering alcoholic.

“The time I used to spend drinking, I now direct toward helping others, as I’ve been thoroughly supported with Make-A- Wish. I’ve been involved with this organization for over 12 months now. To say it has been life changing in so many ways is an understatement.”

Katy realized how the Make-A-Wish Foundation can help heal children and their families. Now Katy is healing herself by doing as much as she can to help other families connect to Make-A-Wish.

Make-a-Wish is financed mainly by donations and sponsorships. Make a Wish helped Ava sell a painting that she made that sold for $3,000 in which all the materials were donated by Cindy and Steven Art in Clinton.

Make-A-Wish also provided Ava with a service dog named Belle. Belle is an American Staffordshire Terrier who went through rigorous training and earned her Canine Good Citizen Award with the American Kennel Club. Belle sleeps with Ava and lets Katy know if there is a problem in the middle of the night.

She emphasized that the children do NOT have to be terminal to accept help and support from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“Make-A-Wish has become my family, and they have provided us with so much joy and healing that I want to offer this service to other families that may not know much about this wonderful organization,” Katy said. “Giving back is what it’s all about.”

Kindness in Real Life is a regular feature in the Times. To submit an item, email times@theday.com.