Jadon (left), his parents and five siblings are all smiles on his Make-A-Wish trip.
By Janet Glavin and Caeli Vanderstuyf, Make-A-Wish Illinois
“Jadon’s wish was [for] a time where we didn’t have to think about nurses, doctors, or lab work. We were able to have fun-time with no worries.” — Jadon’s mom
Every year, nearly 1,200 children in Illinois are newly diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. Make-A-Wish® believes that wishes are an important part of the overall care and treatment of these children. Each wish offers the opportunity for a joyous, life-changing experience.
A wish experience can help a child feel stronger and more positive while dealing with a life-threatening medical condition. The opportunity to have a wish come true offers hope, strength, and joy. And there is a measurable impact according to a 2011 national survey of the Make-A-Wish community including health care professionals, wish families and volunteers. Ninety-seven percent of wish families observed an increase in their wish-kids’ emotional health and 89 percent of health care professionals surveyed say they believe that the wish experience can influence wish-kids’ physical health. Jadon’s wish story is just one example of the impact of a wish.
Jadon felt like a celebrity as he opened his front door and saw a Hummer limo awaiting him. This laid-back 10-year-old boy from Bloomington was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease, requiring a kidney transplant. He wished to go to Disney. “Jadon was so excited for his wish that he made his own countdown,” mentioned Jadon’s mother.
The journey began as Jadon and his family arrived at the airport. Before Jadon and his family boarded the plane, the ticket agent made an announcement over the loud speaker mentioning that Jadon was from Make-A-Wish and was visiting Disney World. The surrounding passengers stood up and started cheering and clapping for him. As the plane arrived in the terminal, Jadon was greeted by the pilot and several flight attendants. The pilot gave Jadon a private tour of the plane as well as the control room where he showed him how the plane was flown. With big, puzzled eyes, Jadon asked, “Mommy how does he know what buttons to push?”
Jadon’s family consists of six siblings and he is used to sharing a bedroom with his younger brother. Jadon felt like a prince when he discovered he had his own master bedroom for the week. “This made Jadon feel so special,” said Jadon’s mom.
The family started their adventure with a visit to SeaWorld. Jadon was able to get up close and personal with some of the biggest whales in the ocean at the Shamu show. While at SeaWorld he also enjoyed seeing many different sea animals; including a variety of sharks and dolphins.
Fearlessly, Jadon challenged some of the most intense rides at Universal Studios with his older brothers. He was also able to meet and take pictures with his favorite Transformer characters. “Jadon had a blast on these rides and wanted to keep going again and again,” said Jadon’s mom.
While at Disney World Jadon received “VIP-like” treatment, escorted around the park by a Disney Tour Guide, which provided him with access to personal meet and greets with every Disney character imaginable. Jadon’s wish came true when he met his favorite character, Buzz Lightyear. As the night came to an end, Jadon and his family enjoyed the Disney parade and fireworks at the most “magical place on earth.”
Make-A-Wish® is committed to the vision of granting the wish of every eligible child. They rely on wish referrals from caring individuals to help them reach more kids, every year, with life-threatening medical conditions and grant a wish that changes lives, forever. The eligibility consideration process is initiated when a wish referral inquiry is submitted to the local chapter. A child with a life-threatening medical condition who has reached the age of 2½ and is younger than 18 at the time of referral is potentially eligible for a wish.
Make-A-Wish Illinois grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since being founded locally in 1985, the chapter has granted more than 12,000 wishes and continues its mission to share the power of a wish® with special children across the state. For more information or to find out how you can help, call 309-637-1659 (800-978-9474) or visit www.illinois.wish.org.
Photo credit: Kellie and Larrall Eatman