Missouri homeowners group relents, approves backyard playhouse for 6-year-old girl with cancer

A young girl with leukemia who asked for a playhouse in her backyard will get her wish, after a homeowners association that initially rejected the idea relented.

The homeowners group in the Kansas City, Missouri, suburb of Raymore met Thursday to reconsider whether to allow 6-year-old Ella Schultz to have a "barn-style" playhouse, after it rejected the proposal initially, citing a lack of details.

In a statement, the board said it approved the project after getting the information it needed during a meeting with a construction group and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"We couldn't be more pleased to see that happen," said the group, noting that several details still need to be worked out.

Pete Schultz told The Kansas City Star that his daughter was "just thrilled" when she heard the news after a tough day. Ella, who has acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other ailments, remained at the University of Kansas Hospital on Friday after she was admitted Tuesday with infection and a high fever.

"So happy, so excited," he said. "Turned her day around."

The family didn't have a listed phone number and couldn't immediately be reached for comment through the hospital.

The Schultz's neighbors have rallied around the family before, including last year, when after spending months in the hospital, Ella came home to a neighborhood parade complete with a fire truck and a dance team from Raymore-Peculiar High School. Police officers and firefighters shaved their heads when chemotherapy took Ella's hair.

The homeowners association didn't respond to emails sent Thursday and Friday seeking comment.