Connecticut Girl, Stable After Battling a Brain Tumor, Wishes Her Way to the Olympics

TOLLAND, CT — A trip to the Summer Olympics was a wish come true for 6-year-old Tolland resident Quinn Ostergren.

But when she attended the opening ceremonies this week in Rio, that wish had taken on a completely different meaning than when it was first made.

Quinn is a 6-year-old Tolland Resident who, at 2 years old, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Over the past four years, she has gone through surgeries, chemotherapy and other treatments, but is now, as her mom, Alyssa, said, "stable and healthy and driving me bananas."

Quinn didn't hear that. She was too busy frolicking inside the limousine that was taking her to the airport.
"This is cool," she said. Quinn managed to keep a straight face to proclaim she wanted to see gymnastics and women's basketball in Rio.

Quinn was born during the 2010 Winter Olympics, and two years later, the 2012 Summer Olympics were taking place when Quinn was diagnosed with the tumor. She spent all of her time in the hospital watching the Olympics with Alyssa and her dad, Tom, to pass the time.

Quinn asked Make-a-Wish Connecticut if she could go to the Olympics. It took some time to become a reality some time, but the wish came true and on Wednesday, she and her parents boarded a limousine to JFK Airport in New York City and eventually to Rio to see the games.

Complete with a police escort.

Several Hartford Police vehicles line Anthony Road in Tolland on Wednesday to escort Quinn, Alyssa and her dad, Tom to the Hartford City line on Interstate-84. The Ostergrens then left JFK Airport for Rio.

"We like doing this type of thing for these kids and, in Quinn's case, look what she has been through," Hartford police Deputy Chief Brian Foley said.

"It's been an amazing journey, parts of which we wish we didn't have to go through," Alyssa Ostergren said. "But look at her. She is happy, healthy at this point and we are taking a trip of a lifetime."

A lot of people feel the same way. During her treatments, The University of Connecticut Women's soccer team essentially adopted her.

"I'm so happy that Quinn is on her way down to Rio," former UConn goalkeeper Kasey O'Brien said. "She's been talking about going to the Olympics for a long time and it's great that her wish is coming true. She's one of the strongest and sweetest kids there is."

On another trip, to Yankee Stadium, she ambled up to former Bronx Bomber great Derek Jeter and Jeter took a liking to her. He spent several minutes yucking it up with Quinn. Quinne helped present the lineup cards that night.

UConn women's basketball team members became Quinn fans.

Before the police-led motorcade ambled down Anthony Road to state route 195 and eventually I-84, Quinn thought for a moment about what she might do if she went to see the U.S. women's hoop team.

"I'm going to yell, 'hey Stewie,' she said, referring to recent UConn graduate Breanna Stewart. Stewart will likely hear Quinn. They have this fan-player thing going.

When asked about her journey — both to Rio and the months leading up to it, Quinn was to the point.

"I'm happy," she said. "I am really excited."

Alyssa Ostergren took that in, held back tears and just said, "Yes she is, and we are all so proud of her."