A little Bermudian boy had a private audience with Sesame Street star Elmo recently when he and his family visited the Sesame Street Live TV show.

Mihdi Brock watched the show in Los Angeles and had a 15-minute private audience with Elmo afterward.

The three-year-old, who suffers from a life-threatening spinal disease, was also reunited with his family for one week in Santa Monica, US, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Mihdi was able to meet Elmo because his Bermudian father-Marvin and friends contacted the folks at Sesame Street and in conjunction with management of the Staples Centre, the Forum (former home of the Los Angles Lakers) and Sesame Street productions, Mihdi received an additional wish.

Mihdi's mother Claire, and sisters Megan, Bahiyyih and Alexandra arrived in Santa Monica last week.

The trip was part of a wish granted by Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organisation set up to grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

The family visited Knotts Berry Amusement Park and spent time together around the beaches and sites.

Older sister Teresa Perozzi said: "At five and a half months old, when Mihdi was going in for heart surgery, the doctors warned us that he might suffer disorientation and wind up crying when he wakes up.

"They said it would help to have one of his favourite toys or stuffed animals nearby. For Midhi, it was Elmo and they have been best buddies ever since,'' she added.

Mihdi will get to see his family again in mid-June when he and his father fly to New Hampshire to help the family move to Santa Monica.

Mrs. Perozzi said: "Unfortunately, this mission for Mihdi has not qualified for funding from any US charities to date.

Many of these charities have been contacted and so far all only work with group projects and not individuals.

"It is a result of Bermudians continued support that the treatments are able to continue,'' she said.

BERMUDIAN BDA TELEVISION TV