A teen gets her fondest wish: A visit to a country radio station.
By Ed Moorhouse, Staff Writer

BALA CYNWYD, Pa -- Ricki Lee Sharp is an early riser.
     She has to be if she wants to catch every minute of her favorite radio show, "Andie and Kris in the Morning" on country music station WXTU-FM 92.5.
     The 14 year old said she wakes up every morning at 5 so she doesn't miss it. The radio hosts are such an important part of Ricki Lee's routine, she decided to tell them herself.
     On Tuesday, she got her wish.
     Ricki Lee is a resident at Voorhees Pediatric Facility, which provides long-term care to medically fragile children. Her family lives in Southampton.
     She recently reach out to WXTU through e-mail and was invited to tour the station on City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd.
     When Andie Summers and Kris Stevens walked out of an office adjacent to a radio studio to meet their biggest fan, Ricki Lee greeted them with a big smile.
     "Oh, my God," Ricki Lee said when she met the morning show hosts. "You get my day started. This is the only station I liston to. I'm in heaven."
     Ricki Lee, a student at the Burlington County Special Services School in Westampton, told Summers that she listens to the show all morning.
     "I'm flattered that you wake up early to listen to us," Summers said, kneeling beside Ricki Lee's wheelchair.
    "I wouldn't have it any other way, Andie. You keep me going," Ricki Lee said, smiling again.
     Ricki Lee, who will turn 15 next week, was joined on the tour by three staff members from Voorhees Pediatric and another resident, 9 year old Gena Moore.
     "This, to (Ricki Lee), means the world," said Lucy Orr Tomczynski, a recreation and child life specialists at Voorhees Pediatric. "Being at the facility, she does need things to help get her through the day. She uses (the radio show) to cope with, to laugh with, and she uses it as a friend."
     Tomczynski said Gena, who is available for adoption, also was excited to spend the day at the station.
     "For Gena, it's instantaneous, and it's a chance to meet and communicate with people," Tomczynski said.
     The two girls also observed radio personality Leigh Richards while she was on the air, and met the station's promotions and production teams.
     They were surprised when country star jack Ingram walked down the long hallway at the station to meet them and sign autographs.
     Country artists Kate and Kacey Coppola also posed for pictures and signed autographs for the girsl before singing "Happy Birthday" to Ricki Lee.
     "This has really been a fun day," Ricki Lee said after meeting the singers.
     For more information about Voorhees Pediatric Facility, or to inquire about adopting Gena, please contact the facility at 856-346-3300 and ask to speak to a social worker.