To "Make-A-Wish" or Not

Y

yellowneongirl

New member
To "Make-A-Wish

my name is kim i have a child who turned 14 today and we made a wish when he was 8 it was the best thing we could have done.he had the time of his life he done things and saw things that i never thought he would see it was the best week in is life he still talks about it today. when there young the wish comes from the heart.so i would say yes let your child have the best wish of there life
 
L

L

New member
To "Make-A-Wish

My 17 year old son w/CF was reffered for a wish a few years ago. He is still very healthy and even ran Varsity Cross Country Track throughout high school. I was floored whe we recieved a letter from "Make A Wish" saying that he had been referred. To this day, we do not know who made the referral, but we had a GREAT time during his wish.

At the time Make a Wish contacted us, Andrew was 14 1/2. They asked him what he would want if he could have any wish in the world. He looked at the Make A Wish volunteer and stated the same wish we had been hearing from him since he was old enough to talk. " I want to drive a NASCAR! " <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> They had to wait until he was over 16 and had his driver's license, but in July 2005, Make a Wish sent Andrew ( and the rest of the family ) to Charlotte , N.C. to visit the NASCAR racing shops there , Carowinds theme park, and, Andrew got to go to the Richard Petty Driving School @ Lowe's Motor Speedway and DRIVE! It was fantastic watching him gear up, climb in that car all by himself and take it up to track speed for a few laps. The grin on his face as he climbed out of the car and pulled off that helmet was a grin I had never seen before but really hope to see again sometime. ( Although seeing it on paper that he drove 160 mph, made me a bit queasy.)
In the time we were at Charlotte, we checked out every racing team's shop we could get to. On the day before we left, Andrew had a VIP tour of Joe Gibbs Racing. ( Tony Stewart is Andrew's absolute favorite driver ) He was allowed in places in the shop where non-team members are not allowed.
They had a couple of bags of souveniers for Andrew including one of the fireproof Crew jackets from Tony's team. Andrew was told that those gifts were hand picked for him by Tony Stewart. Unfortunately, Andrew was not able to meet Tony Stewart while we were there.<img src="i/expressions/brokenheart.gif" border="0">
In all, it was a truly fantastic trip for Andrew! Make A Wish is terrific and if you get the chance, DO IT!
 
L

L

New member
To "Make-A-Wish

My 17 year old son w/CF was reffered for a wish a few years ago. He is still very healthy and even ran Varsity Cross Country Track throughout high school. I was floored whe we recieved a letter from "Make A Wish" saying that he had been referred. To this day, we do not know who made the referral, but we had a GREAT time during his wish.

At the time Make a Wish contacted us, Andrew was 14 1/2. They asked him what he would want if he could have any wish in the world. He looked at the Make A Wish volunteer and stated the same wish we had been hearing from him since he was old enough to talk. " I want to drive a NASCAR! " <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> They had to wait until he was over 16 and had his driver's license, but in July 2005, Make a Wish sent Andrew ( and the rest of the family ) to Charlotte , N.C. to visit the NASCAR racing shops there , Carowinds theme park, and, Andrew got to go to the Richard Petty Driving School @ Lowe's Motor Speedway and DRIVE! It was fantastic watching him gear up, climb in that car all by himself and take it up to track speed for a few laps. The grin on his face as he climbed out of the car and pulled off that helmet was a grin I had never seen before but really hope to see again sometime. ( Although seeing it on paper that he drove 160 mph, made me a bit queasy.)
In the time we were at Charlotte, we checked out every racing team's shop we could get to. On the day before we left, Andrew had a VIP tour of Joe Gibbs Racing. ( Tony Stewart is Andrew's absolute favorite driver ) He was allowed in places in the shop where non-team members are not allowed.
They had a couple of bags of souveniers for Andrew including one of the fireproof Crew jackets from Tony's team. Andrew was told that those gifts were hand picked for him by Tony Stewart. Unfortunately, Andrew was not able to meet Tony Stewart while we were there.<img src="i/expressions/brokenheart.gif" border="0">
In all, it was a truly fantastic trip for Andrew! Make A Wish is terrific and if you get the chance, DO IT!
 
L

L

New member
To "Make-A-Wish

My 17 year old son w/CF was reffered for a wish a few years ago. He is still very healthy and even ran Varsity Cross Country Track throughout high school. I was floored whe we recieved a letter from "Make A Wish" saying that he had been referred. To this day, we do not know who made the referral, but we had a GREAT time during his wish.

At the time Make a Wish contacted us, Andrew was 14 1/2. They asked him what he would want if he could have any wish in the world. He looked at the Make A Wish volunteer and stated the same wish we had been hearing from him since he was old enough to talk. " I want to drive a NASCAR! " <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> They had to wait until he was over 16 and had his driver's license, but in July 2005, Make a Wish sent Andrew ( and the rest of the family ) to Charlotte , N.C. to visit the NASCAR racing shops there , Carowinds theme park, and, Andrew got to go to the Richard Petty Driving School @ Lowe's Motor Speedway and DRIVE! It was fantastic watching him gear up, climb in that car all by himself and take it up to track speed for a few laps. The grin on his face as he climbed out of the car and pulled off that helmet was a grin I had never seen before but really hope to see again sometime. ( Although seeing it on paper that he drove 160 mph, made me a bit queasy.)
In the time we were at Charlotte, we checked out every racing team's shop we could get to. On the day before we left, Andrew had a VIP tour of Joe Gibbs Racing. ( Tony Stewart is Andrew's absolute favorite driver ) He was allowed in places in the shop where non-team members are not allowed.
They had a couple of bags of souveniers for Andrew including one of the fireproof Crew jackets from Tony's team. Andrew was told that those gifts were hand picked for him by Tony Stewart. Unfortunately, Andrew was not able to meet Tony Stewart while we were there.<img src="i/expressions/brokenheart.gif" border="0">
In all, it was a truly fantastic trip for Andrew! Make A Wish is terrific and if you get the chance, DO IT!
 
M

mommymagic

New member
To

DO IT!
I applied online to Make A Wish. It took a full year to hear from them....HOWEVER it was so worth the wait.
My son was 12 at the time. He was pretty healthy, other than sinus surgeries. I also have a daughter, who was 4 . She still remembers the trip. It was awesome. We went to LegoLand Calif..(we live in SC). They also sent us to seaworld and san diego zoo. It was a trip of a lifetime. I cannot say enough of the MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION..they so ROCK.
It took a lot of time and fundraising to grant Tonys wish...things are harder even now with corporate cutbacks of charity giving.
I wish you would apply. I too had the option when tony was 3..but declined because he was so healthy.
Who was to know our world would rock soon after our trip...he became very ill about a year afterwards..and at this time there would be no way he could make the trip now.
JUST DO IT...no regrets... its true they DO grant wishes to CFers. Your doctors do have to be notified and send some sort of documentation.
HAVE FUN, be patient....and enjoy. robyn
 
M

mommymagic

New member
To

DO IT!
I applied online to Make A Wish. It took a full year to hear from them....HOWEVER it was so worth the wait.
My son was 12 at the time. He was pretty healthy, other than sinus surgeries. I also have a daughter, who was 4 . She still remembers the trip. It was awesome. We went to LegoLand Calif..(we live in SC). They also sent us to seaworld and san diego zoo. It was a trip of a lifetime. I cannot say enough of the MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION..they so ROCK.
It took a lot of time and fundraising to grant Tonys wish...things are harder even now with corporate cutbacks of charity giving.
I wish you would apply. I too had the option when tony was 3..but declined because he was so healthy.
Who was to know our world would rock soon after our trip...he became very ill about a year afterwards..and at this time there would be no way he could make the trip now.
JUST DO IT...no regrets... its true they DO grant wishes to CFers. Your doctors do have to be notified and send some sort of documentation.
HAVE FUN, be patient....and enjoy. robyn
 
M

mommymagic

New member
To

DO IT!
I applied online to Make A Wish. It took a full year to hear from them....HOWEVER it was so worth the wait.
My son was 12 at the time. He was pretty healthy, other than sinus surgeries. I also have a daughter, who was 4 . She still remembers the trip. It was awesome. We went to LegoLand Calif..(we live in SC). They also sent us to seaworld and san diego zoo. It was a trip of a lifetime. I cannot say enough of the MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION..they so ROCK.
It took a lot of time and fundraising to grant Tonys wish...things are harder even now with corporate cutbacks of charity giving.
I wish you would apply. I too had the option when tony was 3..but declined because he was so healthy.
Who was to know our world would rock soon after our trip...he became very ill about a year afterwards..and at this time there would be no way he could make the trip now.
JUST DO IT...no regrets... its true they DO grant wishes to CFers. Your doctors do have to be notified and send some sort of documentation.
HAVE FUN, be patient....and enjoy. robyn
 
C

cprgirl

Guest
To

My 14 y.o son with CF is getting his wish from Make-A-Wish on February 19-24th. We had no problems at all. They have been REALLY wonderful about making this the best experience for him they can. Im sorry you had such bad times with them...it has to be your particular chapter.

My son doesnt "appear" sickly, he has a G-tube and numerous meds and the vest he uses daily, but he runs around like any other 14 y.o.
 
C

cprgirl

Guest
To

My 14 y.o son with CF is getting his wish from Make-A-Wish on February 19-24th. We had no problems at all. They have been REALLY wonderful about making this the best experience for him they can. Im sorry you had such bad times with them...it has to be your particular chapter.

My son doesnt "appear" sickly, he has a G-tube and numerous meds and the vest he uses daily, but he runs around like any other 14 y.o.
 
C

cprgirl

Guest
To

My 14 y.o son with CF is getting his wish from Make-A-Wish on February 19-24th. We had no problems at all. They have been REALLY wonderful about making this the best experience for him they can. Im sorry you had such bad times with them...it has to be your particular chapter.

My son doesnt "appear" sickly, he has a G-tube and numerous meds and the vest he uses daily, but he runs around like any other 14 y.o.
 
E

Emily65Roses

New member
To

In case anyone thinks I or anyone else are liars... Make a Wish did deny me. If they grant wishes to CFers now, that's all fine and dandy. And I have nothing really against the organization. But don't pretend like I'm making crap up. When I was in 6th grade (roughly 1995?), Make a Wish said, as a CF patient, I did not qualify.
 
E

Emily65Roses

New member
To

In case anyone thinks I or anyone else are liars... Make a Wish did deny me. If they grant wishes to CFers now, that's all fine and dandy. And I have nothing really against the organization. But don't pretend like I'm making crap up. When I was in 6th grade (roughly 1995?), Make a Wish said, as a CF patient, I did not qualify.
 
E

Emily65Roses

New member
To

In case anyone thinks I or anyone else are liars... Make a Wish did deny me. If they grant wishes to CFers now, that's all fine and dandy. And I have nothing really against the organization. But don't pretend like I'm making crap up. When I was in 6th grade (roughly 1995?), Make a Wish said, as a CF patient, I did not qualify.
 
E

EmilysMom

New member
To

Emily is correct! (keep in mind this was about 12 years ago) Our social worker at the hospital asked if we would be interested and we said sure. She contacted Make-A-Wish for us and they called us to say "sorry, but we don't do CF kids. They aren't usually sick enough and you are so close to a cure that we keep our wishes for other kids". Our social worker was outraged and called them back to tell them so, but then she contacted the Starlight Foundation in New York who took care of Emily's wish and handled Emily like a little princess.
I guess I would imagine since then Make-A-Wish has had a change of heart or had enough complaints or something that has made them decide to do CF kids wishes. Don't know the circumstances...only know that we were turned down by them when Emily was 11 because "she wasn't sick enough and CF was too close to having a cure".
I am glad that they are now doing wishes for CF kids though!
 
E

EmilysMom

New member
To

Emily is correct! (keep in mind this was about 12 years ago) Our social worker at the hospital asked if we would be interested and we said sure. She contacted Make-A-Wish for us and they called us to say "sorry, but we don't do CF kids. They aren't usually sick enough and you are so close to a cure that we keep our wishes for other kids". Our social worker was outraged and called them back to tell them so, but then she contacted the Starlight Foundation in New York who took care of Emily's wish and handled Emily like a little princess.
I guess I would imagine since then Make-A-Wish has had a change of heart or had enough complaints or something that has made them decide to do CF kids wishes. Don't know the circumstances...only know that we were turned down by them when Emily was 11 because "she wasn't sick enough and CF was too close to having a cure".
I am glad that they are now doing wishes for CF kids though!
 
E

EmilysMom

New member
To

Emily is correct! (keep in mind this was about 12 years ago) Our social worker at the hospital asked if we would be interested and we said sure. She contacted Make-A-Wish for us and they called us to say "sorry, but we don't do CF kids. They aren't usually sick enough and you are so close to a cure that we keep our wishes for other kids". Our social worker was outraged and called them back to tell them so, but then she contacted the Starlight Foundation in New York who took care of Emily's wish and handled Emily like a little princess.
I guess I would imagine since then Make-A-Wish has had a change of heart or had enough complaints or something that has made them decide to do CF kids wishes. Don't know the circumstances...only know that we were turned down by them when Emily was 11 because "she wasn't sick enough and CF was too close to having a cure".
I am glad that they are now doing wishes for CF kids though!
 
L

L

New member
To

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>But don't pretend like I'm making crap up.</end quote></div>

I'm sorry if you took it that way, but, no one said ANYTHING about not believing you or that you were making things up.

Those of us who have had a CF child granted a wish were simply posting that the wish was granted..... nobody said ANYTHING negative about you.

L Mom to Andrew 17 w/CF
 
L

L

New member
To

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>But don't pretend like I'm making crap up.</end quote></div>

I'm sorry if you took it that way, but, no one said ANYTHING about not believing you or that you were making things up.

Those of us who have had a CF child granted a wish were simply posting that the wish was granted..... nobody said ANYTHING negative about you.

L Mom to Andrew 17 w/CF
 
L

L

New member
To

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>But don't pretend like I'm making crap up.</end quote></div>

I'm sorry if you took it that way, but, no one said ANYTHING about not believing you or that you were making things up.

Those of us who have had a CF child granted a wish were simply posting that the wish was granted..... nobody said ANYTHING negative about you.

L Mom to Andrew 17 w/CF
 
L

lightNlife

New member
To

Personally, I'm not in favor of it. If it were my kid, I'd teach him to dream big dreams and work hard at fulfilling them on his own. That's how my parents raised me, and I think I'm a stronger person (and a better fighter with the CF) because of it.

Still, that's only my point of view, and I see that I'm in the minority on this one. I'm a stubborn sort of person, and I generally disfavor anything that gives preferential treatment when it's not a necessity. That's not to say that Make-A-Wish and things like that shouldn't be done. It's a case by case basis.

So, do what you think would be overall best for your family and your situation. Kudos for actually contemplating this issue instead of treating it as a CF "rite of passage".
 
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