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“I’m 11,” said Malerie Levens.

Malerie Levens’ spirit is as infectious as her love for pop music’s biggest star, Justin Bieber.

“I like his music, I like his looks. I could go on and on for days,” said Levens.

She connects with the Canadian ...]]> OWASSO, Ok. (WHDH) — For a pre-teen in Oklahoma, a wish to see Justin Bieber in concert is subject to a ticking clock. She’s going blind, and her parents are trying to find a way to fulfill her dream before it’s too late.

WHDH-TV –

“I’m 11,” said Malerie Levens.

Malerie Levens’ spirit is as infectious as her love for pop music’s biggest star, Justin Bieber.

“I like his music, I like his looks. I could go on and on for days,” said Levens.

She connects with the Canadian superstar.

“Our parents being divorced around the same age — he was not even a year maybe, and I wasn’t either — and we both have our talent, and we believe that we’ll be able to stick to it,” said Levens.

For Levens, that’s dance. While she moves like him, she doesn’t see like him. Levens has a rare eye condition called Stargardt disease.

“It’s like looking through a broken glass for her,” said Paige Cromwell, Malerie’s mother.

A year and a half ago, Malerie’s parents found out she was going blind.

“Crushed. I just want her to be happy,” said her father, Eric Levens.

Malerie’s world forever changed.

“Since she was diagnosed, her vision is probably two or three times worse,” said Eric Levens.

“My heart felt like I was shot with a gun,” said Cromwell.

Soon she might have to quit dancing and go to a school for blind students, but before her world changes forever, she has one wish.

“I always feel like there’s a clock ticking,” said Cromwell.

Her one wish is to see him, in person, in concert.

“I really want to see him,” said Malerie Levens.

Tickets to Justin Bieber’s upcoming tour are the hottest thing in North America.

“I would do whatever it took to get tickets. Realistically, if she’s not in the front, she won’t be able to see him,” said Eric Levens.

Those seats are expensive.

“More than a thousand dollars! In my wallet right now, I only have like 15 bucks, but in my account I have a hundred,” said Malerie Levens.

Her parents hope someone can connect them with the tickets Malerie needs.

“I would just be forever in their debt to be able to give something that means so much to my daughter,” said Eric Levens.

Justin Bieber’s stop in Tulsa is in January.

Malerie Levens said even if she doesn’t get the chance to see her idol, she’ll be able to hear him and will continue to follow her dreams and not let her disability get in her way.

Read more: http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/entertainment/music/12007930797064/ok-girl-wishes-to-see-bieber-concert-before-losing-sight/#ixzz20jO7xbg4

After FOX23 aired Malerie Levens’ story last week, CNN picked up the report about a young girl who wants to see Justin Bieber in concert before she loses her sight to a rare eye disease called Stargardt’s.

Since the story aired, her family has been blown away by the amount of support and compassion shown to them by complete strangers.

“From the moment it aired, just this outpouring of people who care,” Eric Levens told FOX23.

His daughter Malerie is also shocked that her simple wish ...]]> Story from Fox23.com

After FOX23 aired Malerie Levens’ story last week, CNN picked up the report about a young girl who wants to see Justin Bieber in concert before she loses her sight to a rare eye disease called Stargardt’s.

Since the story aired, her family has been blown away by the amount of support and compassion shown to them by complete strangers.

“From the moment it aired, just this outpouring of people who care,” Eric Levens told FOX23.

His daughter Malerie is also shocked that her simple wish could get so much attention.

“It’s just awesome. It’s just amazing how fast it was picked up,” she said.

On Monday, they were invited to FOX23 and told reporter Adam Paluka that people have offered to take Malerie to Bieber’s show in Tulsa, with their own families.

A wonderful idea, but Malerie’s parents say after considering it, they don’t think it is realistic for a child with special needs.

“I do feel very flattered by the offers, but she’s my 11 year old baby, and I can’t let her go with a stranger. I just can’t,” Malerie’s mother, Paige Cromwell, said.

“As much as we’d like to say, ‘Ok let’s do it.’ We have to be patient at the same time,” Eric said.

Justin Bieber’s Tulsa show could be too late. Malerie is rapidly losing her vision.

“We don’t know what January has in story for us,” Eric said, “Time is of the essence, and the clock is ticking.”

One donor even pledged $2,500 to help make Malerie’s dream come true.

“I am humbled by it all, I am ecstatic and overjoyed, there are not enough words,” Cromwell said.

The family says this story won’t end when she sees Bieber. Eric said Malerie’s family is determined to pay it forward.

“There are thousands of kids in the same position as Malerie. They’re just getting their life started and then bam.”

Malerie’s family would like to start a foundation for children with severe visual impairments.

“We’re using Malerie’s wishes as a platform.”

No matter what happens, Malerie says her life is better for sharing her story.

“A lot of things have changed. I’ve met new people who have my eye disease; I’ve heard a lot of people wanting to help. I feel more supported,” Malerie said.

Malerie is still an 11 year-old girl who is hoping there’s a chance that there’s an unopened e-mail in Justin Bieber’s inbox with a story that’s changed a young life.

“(I keep thinking) maybe today he’s going to find out, maybe today he’s going to see the video, what if,” Malerie told FOX23.

Because of the outpouring of support, the family has set up an account at Bank of Oklahoma for people wishing to donate to help make Malerie’s dream a reality.

Malerie’s family has also created a Facebook page with information on the disease and the foundation they have started. To visit the page, click here: https://www.facebook.com/mlevensvowfoundation

“I like his music. I like his looks. I could go on and on for days,” she told FOX23 on Thursday.

She connects with the Canadian superstar.

“Our parents (got) divorced around the same age. He was not even a year old maybe, and I wasn’t either. We both have our talent, and we believe that we’ll be able to stick to it.”

For Malerie that talent is dance. While she moves ...]]> Malerie Levens spirit is infectious and so is her love for pop music’s biggest star: Justin Bieber.

“I like his music. I like his looks. I could go on and on for days,” she told FOX23 on Thursday.

She connects with the Canadian superstar.

“Our parents (got) divorced around the same age. He was not even a year old maybe, and I wasn’t either. We both have our talent, and we believe that we’ll be able to stick to it.”

For Malerie that talent is dance. While she moves like Justin, she doesn’t see like him. Malerie has a rare eye condition called Stargardt Disease.

“It’s like looking through a broken glass for her,” Malerie’s mother, Paige Cromwell, said.

A year and a half ago, Malerie’s parents found out she was going blind.

“(I was) crushed. I just want her to be happy,” her father, Eric Levens, told FOX23.

Malerie’s world forever changed with the diagnosis.

“Since she was diagnosed, her vision is probably two or three times worse,” Eric said.

“My heart felt like it was shot with a gun,” Paige told FOX23.

Soon she might have to quit dancing and go to a school for blind students, but before her world changes forever Malerie has one wish.

“I really want to see him.”

She wants to see Justin in person, in concert, but tickets to Justin’s upcoming tour are the hottest thing in North America.

“I would do whatever it took to get tickets,” Eric said.

Malerie’s parents could probably find lower bowl tickets to Justin Bieber’s stop in Tulsa at the BOK Center in January on the internet, but a seat there wouldn’t matter to the 11 year-old. She needs to be very close to Justin to actually see him.

“Realistically if she’s not in the front she won’t be able to see him,” Eric told FOX23.

Those seats are expensive.

“(They’re) more than a $1,000,” Malerie said.

“In my wallet right now, I only have like $15, but in my bank account I have $100.”

Her parents have looked for front row seats.

“There’s not even access to the tickets now,” Eric said, “We don’t even have the opportunity to get tickets now.”

Time is running out. If she waits much longer Malerie may never have the chance to see her idol, but what she’ll always see is the bright side of things.

“Everyone that has a disability in life, or has something that they can’t get over, don’t give up, follow your dreams, and don’t ever think that you can’t do it,” Malerie said.

Her parents hope someone can connect them with the tickets Malerie needs.

“I would just be forever in their debt to be able to give something that means so much to my daughter,” Eric said.

For more information about Stargardt Disease, click here: http://www.macular.org/stargardts.html