WPRI, Zoo Provide Child With Spooky Treat

Thanks to a partnership between WPRI and the Roger Williams Park Zoo, a 6-year-old East Providence girl with a brain stem tumor received a VIP tour of the zoo last week.

The story by Walt Buteau was aired by WPRI on Friday. Madelyn Parsons got a private tour of the zoo and the Jack-O-Lantern exhibit with the rest of her family.

According to Maddie’s mom, Rayna, she and teachers at her school became worried when they noticed her walking off-balance in classes. A subsequence doctor’s visit revealed a tumor on her brain stem.

“I lost it in the car ride home. I was shaking and crying,” Rayna told WPRI. “I didn't know what to do. And they were in the back seat at the time.”

Maddie is scheduled for surgery on Oct. 30, so the VIP treatment serves as a nice gesture to her, to make up for the Halloween she is going to have to miss.