BELMONT CRAGIN— After a three-year battle with Leukemia, Sophia Bahena received a gift fit for a princess Thursday.
Medieval Times, a medieval-themed entertainment venue, teamed up with Special Spaces Chicagoland, a not-for-profit that creates dream bedrooms for children with life-threatening medical conditions, to do a makeover of the upstairs bedrooms of Sophia's family's bungalow in Belmont Cragin. Sophia, 8, who recently completed her Leukemia treatment, had asked for a princess-style bedroom.
Sophia was escorted into her home by a king and princess from Medieval Times Thursday afternoon, along with her two sisters, Tatiana and Liliana.
An entrance fit for a princess. #ChivalryInAction pic.twitter.com/ZiJAsDXekE
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) April 21, 2016
Medieval Times brought a 16-member construction team, including armor-clad knights. Staff and volunteers from Special Spaces Chicagoland brought in close to a dozen volunteers to make Sophie's dream a reality.
.@MedievalTimes and Special Spaces are turning a young girl's room into a castle. #ChivalryInAction pic.twitter.com/3DAIsttMtu
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) April 21, 2016
Matt Gill, the marketing manager with Medieval Times, says Special Spaces approached them to help with the makeover. Medieval Times gives back to the community through its Chivalry in Action program.
'We've been doing this for a number of years. We like to give back to the community in any way we can," Gill said. "I think they are going to be happy with what we've done. I hope it aligned to what her wishes were."
Parents Andres and Blanca Bahena were just as shocked as Sophie and her other kids were.
"It's wonderful and it's overwhelming. I'm so excited to see how happy they were," Bahena said. "Right now, they are a little bit quiet but I can see it in their faces. I think I want to move up here."
Andres Bahena echoed his wife's sentiments as he fought back the tears.
"I'm so grateful for what everyone here has done," Bahena said. "It's amazing."
Kelly Knox, Illinois director for Special Spaces, told DNAinfo that the Sophie's makeover was the most difficult one the group has done.
"Every time we see the reactions by the families, it keep us going," Know said. "This room was special because Sophie has been through a lot the last few years. And this is the start of a new chapter to her life."
Special Spaces has chapters all over the country dedicated to “Changing Children's Lives One Bedroom at a Time!” Special Spaces selects children to participate. Once a child is chosen, a team interviews the child to customizes what the child wants.
In Sophie's case, she wanted a "princess castle" bedroom. The workers painted the entire upstairs, including medeival-themed murals. The installed bunkbeds and redid a bathroom.
Sophie was at a loss for words at seeing the makeover.
"I asked for some things, but not all of that," Sophie said. "My favorite spot is here."
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