Chris always wanted to be a police officer. That was his dream. He wanted to grow up and fight bad guys. Unfortunately, Chris had leukemia. A local US Customs officer heard about Chris and his wish, and arranged a special day. Chris got a helicopter tour, a custom made uniform, and became the first honorary patrolman. Three days later, he passed away, but he got to live his dream for a day. That was the first Wish in 1980.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with life threatening issues. This includes children with Down’s Syndrome, Spina Bifida, and Cystic Fibrosis. Even children with motor and cognitive delays have been granted wishes.
The referral process starts with a submission to Make-A-Wish by a professional, parent, or even the child themselves. The child must be between two and half and 18 years old. Once the referral has been made, a doctor must confirm the child’s condition. After the approval, a wish team is sent to find out what the child really wants has their wish. They ask a simple question, “If you could have one wish, what would it be?” Once that question is answered, the volunteers at Make-A-Wish develop an experience for the child and their family. These wishes are given to help provide some hope and something positive for the family to cherish in a time of a lot of negatives.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has provided so many different wishes. There are four categories. The first is “I wish to go . . .” This is when the child asks to go somewhere special like Disney World or another theme park. The next is “I wish to be . . .” Just like Chris’s first wish of being a policeman, a child can be someone or something for a day. The next kind of wish is “I wish to meet . . .” The child gets to meet their favorite celebrity or athlete. The last is “I wish to have . . .” In our area, a little girl, who has vision and motor issues, asked for a specialized playroom to help with her therapies and developing her skills. Make-A-Wish has also constructed outdoor play sets for children in wheelchairs and even tree houses. Some children have asked for a makeover or a shopping spree.
To find a referral form for your child or someone you know, go to www.wish.org. You can also contact the local Make-A-Wish chapter for more information at 412-471-9474
