Natalie's Everyday Heroes: 9-year-old cancer survivor inspires plan for accessible playground in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Stella Schneider celebrated her birthday back in May by launching a campaign to build an accessible playground in Milwaukee. 

The 9-year-old is being treated for brain cancer, which has left her with some physical challenges. 

She told her mom she didn't think she could play like other kids. 

This summer, though, she's playing at the Albert & Ann Deshur JCC Rainbow Day Camp in Fredonia. And they're helping make her dream of a new playground come true, too.

"Which one do you want on the outside?" a counselor asked Schneider as she worked on a bracelet.

Summer camp brings to mind arts and crafts, games with friends, and afternoons in the water. 

"When you think of summer camp in the movies, that's what it is," said camp director Shelby Elias.

An experience every kid should get to have. 

"Our society is full of a lot of struggle. A lot of hard. And camp is a place where kids flourish," she said.

And Stella Schneider is no exception.

"She's had to fight so hard," said her mom, Rese Schneider.

Seeing Stella walk to the pool is progress. 

"She had gone from a wheelchair to a walker, to now, if you hold her hand, she can walk," her mom explained.

Doctors found a four-centimeter brain tumor in July 2023. Emergency surgery followed.

"So, Stella didn't talk for almost two months. Mobility issues. Ataxia, so, shaking," she said.

Stella is making strides in her recovery, but today, her mom is sharing her story. 

"She is the most determined and courageous person I know," she said.

Determined to have a wonderful summer,

"Can your brother eat lunch with you today?" Elias asked Stella.

Joining her brother Jake at Rainbow Day Camp. 

"Of all of the things that Stella needs right now, she needs to be a kid. She needs to play. She needs to have friends. And to smile and to make a bracelet," Elias said.

But that's not all. These campers joined in a coin war fundraiser. 

"I got pied in the face because we raised a lot of money," Elias laughed about the experience.

Elias says it was worth it to hand over a $5,000 check that will go towards Stella's Playground. 

"I've never built a playground before. I have no background in building playgrounds," Schneider said.

That's not stopping Rese from building an accessible playground at Kilbourn Reservoir Park. 

"It was one of those lightbulb moments of, this is something I can do. As crazy as that sounds, this is something that I can do. And that we can do," she said.

And with determination like Stella's, nothing is going to slow her down. 

"Stella's not getting any younger. And also, this is a need, so let's do this. Why wait? Why wait? Let's get this done," Schneider said.

More than $550,000 has already been raised for Stella's Playground. And they hope to break ground on her birthday next year, May 7. Also, good news: her mom says right now, Stella has no evidence of cancer.

For more information on how you can help, visit Stella's Playground.

If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].