Make a Wish (and other organizations) ~ Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume FIVE!!

[threelittlebakers]

I just got a email from my wish chapter and she said that my niece could come with us. I had a talk with the grandparents and we are going in half with the expenses to get her to go. I think im paying for the theme park tickets and grandparents are paying for her airfare. Only because im not her legal guardian i don't think i can purchase her airline tickets. And she gets to stay with us at the village. She is going to be so psyched when she fines out. We are not going to tell her until her 9t birthday which is in march and that about a month before we go. We are thinking about buying her a kids suitcase and a fill it up with a few things (autograph book, big pen, gift card to get some cloths, and kids disney guide book) and wrap it up. We are also not talking about it in the house because we want the kids to forget about the trip. We want to do the same thing to them the day before the trip, except its contents we put in them are a little different. But all in all i can't wait. Oh i have to make reservations for restaurants tomorrow. I was suppose of done it to day but i had to work.

 

[crashbb]

I just got a email from my wish chapter and she said that my niece could come with us. I had a talk with the grandparents and we are going in half with the expenses to get her to go. I think im paying for the theme park tickets and grandparents are paying for her airfare. Only because im not her legal guardian i don't think i can purchase her airline tickets. And she gets to stay with us at the village. She is going to be so psyched when she fines out. We are not going to tell her until her 9t birthday which is in march and that about a month before we go. We are thinking about buying her a kids suitcase and a fill it up with a few things (autograph book, big pen, gift card to get some cloths, and kids disney guide book) and wrap it up. We are also not talking about it in the house because we want the kids to forget about the trip. We want to do the same thing to them the day before the trip, except its contents we put in them are a little different. But all in all i can't wait. Oh i have to make reservations for restaurants tomorrow. I was suppose of done it to day but i had to work.

That is great news!

About the bit that I bolded - I don't see why you couldn't purchase the airline tickets. I've never been asked about guardianship for anyone I've bought tickets for. Is she flying with you? Or will she be flying as an unaccompanied minor? If it is the latter, I could see that her grandparents might need to organize the paperwork, but otherwise, anyone can buy the tickets.

 

[wishin' on a star]

Kade(MitoDadMO) passed away last night. Please keep Josh, Annette, and brother Jackson in your thoughts and prayers. I had the pleasure of meeting them when we were at GKTW. RIP Kade

My prayers are with Kade and his family.

Also to Hannah and her family, and Eva's family. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers this week.

 

[LindaBabe]

Hi everybody! I've volunteered at GKTW and think it's one of the most incredible places on earth!
Now I know a wish kid personally - Alli was in my 2 year old Sunday school class last year when she was diagnosed with Leukemia. She's doing good now, but is still having treatments - she is 3.
Her mom is pregnant with miracle number 2 and is having some back pain -
they are scheduled for their wish trip the first week of November.
I've suggested an umbrella stroller for Alli because I know the airports are big and GKTW seemed HUGE to me - I don't know how much actual walking the kids do, but I don't think an umbrella stroller would hurt.
Now I'm considering suggesting a rental scooter for Alli's mom. I've rented one before for my mom - I don't mean the ones in the park, I mean the outside companies that deliver them to your resort and you get them for the whole week -

does anyone know if GKTW has a relationship with any of the local scooter rental places?
I can't remember the one I used before, so does anyone have any recommendations?

also, is there a current schedule of what's going on at GKTW? Specifically, I'm wondering about characters. Minnie and Rapunzel are Alli's favorite characters, so I want to give her parents a heads up if there's a possibility they'll be there.

What about other tips for the family?
I'm going to remind them to always wear their buttons and to use the wish lounge.

Fellow volunteer here - I use Walker Medical for my scooter rentals. The heaviest piece weighs 30 pounds, and, even in pieces, the scooter DOES take up space in the vehicle - so before she rents an off site scooter, make sure the vehicle they get is large enough to hold the family, stroller AND scooter.

 

[celerystalker]

Thanks for the tip, Linda. I'll check and see what kind of rental car they are getting.

 

[threelittlebakers]

That is great news!

About the bit that I bolded - I don't see why you couldn't purchase the airline tickets. I've never been asked about guardianship for anyone I've bought tickets for. Is she flying with you? Or will she be flying as an unaccompanied minor? If it is the latter, I could see that her grandparents might need to organize the paperwork, but otherwise, anyone can buy the tickets.

Im hoping she is flying with us. The wish chapter said they won't be booking the seats until beginning of next year. As soon as she does she will contact us so we can book my nieces but if there is situation were she has to fly alone. We were thinking of transferring tickets and my husband will take the next flight and i will take the children by myself. She has never flown and i don't want her to be by herself. My husband has flown a couple of times so he doesn't mind. I think everything will work out alright.

 

[emmaandbunni]

i can tell this is going to be a drama, as i can not even work out how to get myself on the pre planning list. can anyone tell me what i need to do thank emma

 

[Synovial]

i can tell this is going to be a drama, as i can not even work out how to get myself on the pre planning list. can anyone tell me what i need to do thank emma

If you are not computer friendly it is not the easiest thing to do. Go to the first page of this thread and scroll down near the bottom to frequently asked questions and it will give you directions. Good luck! Synovial

 

[Synovial]

Normally how close to your departure date is it until you get your wish package with all your travel arrangements? synovial

 

[wishin' on a star]

Normally how close to your departure date is it until you get your wish package with all your travel arrangements? synovial

We got our flight information a couple of months before our trip. But the rest...the limo, car rental info, and expense $$...we got about two weeks before our trip. I think many MAW chapters give the final wish package even closer to your trip date. It seems to depend a lot on the chapter and the volunteer's schedule.

 

[tehanig1974]

Thanks for supplying all this great information!

 

[kimmg]

I need some advice.

MAW approved us and we were waiting until September to call to get dates in early Dec. from MAW. We called and they suggested Dec. 5-11. We've been waiting and waiting and come to find out our Doctors won't sign off of it because he is a state insurance patient. I guess they had a family use services out of state, it wasn't covered so they sued the hospital. Now it's our hospitals policy not to sign for out of state wishes. The kicker is we called our state and they said we are covered for emergency services out of state but the hospital doesn't care.

MAW is trying to find temporary insurance for our family since the hospital is requiring it for our entire family but they haven't found anything yet. We're just so devastated and disappointed. We've been counting down, watching videos, making outfits and plans, even my uncle set up his timeshare so we could stay longer. Our hospital is suggesting Disneyland but we live about an hour away and it just wouldn't feel the same. I feel so blessed for him to get a wish at all but we were looking forward to GKTW so much. This was a chance for the healing experience of a lifetime and now it's looking like it won't happen. Any suggestions? The hospital social worker is saying that since he's out of treatment if he doesn't do his wish soon he'll become ineligible. I don't know if that's true or not. I've considered switching hospitals but then we'd have to start with a new chapter, start the wish process over again and risk being denied and losing his wish.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I need some advice.

MAW approved us and we were waiting until September to call to get dates in early Dec. from MAW. We called and they suggested Dec. 5-11. We've been waiting and waiting and come to find out our Doctors won't sign off of it because he is a state insurance patient. I guess they had a family use services out of state, it wasn't covered so they sued the hospital. Now it's our hospitals policy not to sign for out of state wishes. The kicker is we called our state and they said we are covered for emergency services out of state but the hospital doesn't care.

MAW is trying to find temporary insurance for our family since the hospital is requiring it for our entire family but they haven't found anything yet. We're just so devastated and disappointed. We've been counting down, watching videos, making outfits and plans, even my uncle set up his timeshare so we
could stay longer. Our hospital is suggesting Disneyland but we live about an
hour away and it just wouldn't feel the same. I feel so blessed for him to get a
wish at all but we were looking forward to GKTW so much. This was a chance


for the healing experience of a lifetime and now it's looking like it won't happen. Any suggestions? The hospital social worker is saying that since he's out of treatment if he doesn't do his wish soon he'll become ineligible. I don't know if that's true or not. I've considered switching hospitals but then we'd have to start with a new chapter, start the wish process over again and risk
being denied and losing his wish.

First.. We have state insurance and we had no problem going. Never heard of a thing. Are you telling me you can never leave the state for a vacation?
Second.. He can never lose his MAW. Once approved they can not take it away. Who ever told you that is an idiot. You need to change social workers. Sorry for all you are going through.

 

[Synovial]

We got our flight information a couple of months before our trip. But the rest...the limo, car rental info, and expense $$...we got about two weeks before our trip. I think many MAW chapters give the final wish package even closer to your trip date. It seems to depend a lot on the chapter and the volunteer's schedule.

Thanks! We leave out next Friday and I'm getting a little nervous since I haven't gotten our package yet. We got a brochure from Give Kids The World with our arrival date on it, so I know everything's lined up, I would just feel better if I had all the details in my hands. I guess you could say I am a detail person and don't like to leave anything to chance. Thanks for the info. Synovial

 

[Owensheart]

I need some advice.

MAW approved us and we were waiting until September to call to get dates in early Dec. from MAW. We called and they suggested Dec. 5-11. We've been waiting and waiting and come to find out our Doctors won't sign off of it because he is a state insurance patient. I guess they had a family use services out of state, it wasn't covered so they sued the hospital. Now it's our hospitals policy not to sign for out of state wishes. The kicker is we called our state and they said we are covered for emergency services out of state but the hospital doesn't care.

MAW is trying to find temporary insurance for our family since the hospital is requiring it for our entire family but they haven't found anything yet. We're just so devastated and disappointed. We've been counting down, watching videos, making outfits and plans, even my uncle set up his timeshare so we could stay longer. Our hospital is suggesting Disneyland but we live about an hour away and it just wouldn't feel the same. I feel so blessed for him to get a wish at all but we were looking forward to GKTW so much. This was a chance for the healing experience of a lifetime and now it's looking like it won't happen. Any suggestions? The hospital social worker is saying that since he's out of treatment if he doesn't do his wish soon he'll become ineligible. I don't know if that's true or not. I've considered switching hospitals but then we'd have to start with a new chapter, start the wish process over again and risk being denied and losing his wish.

This is ridiculous!! Is there one specific doctor at the hospital that won't sign off on it.. or is it the hospital social worker? I would speak wth a supervisor of that department. I have never heard of this and I know plenty of families on state insurance. Maybe your child's pediatrician can sign off on it, or at least speak with the hospital for you? I am so sorry.

Absolutely take this up the ladder at the hospital!!

First.. We have state insurance and we had no problem going. Never heard of a thing. Are you telling me you can never leave the state for a vacation?
Second.. He can never lose his MAW. Once approved they can not take it away. Who ever told you that is an idiot. You need to change social workers. Sorry for all you are going through.

SO TRUE!! After you are approved, they cannot take your eligibility away!

Thanks! We leave out next Friday and I'm getting a little nervous since I haven't gotten our package yet. We got a brochure from Give Kids The World with our arrival date on it, so I know everything's lined up, I would just feel better if I had all the details in my hands. I guess you could say I am a detail person and don't like to leave anything to chance. Thanks for the info. Synovial

I'm so excited for you!!! I would contact your wish granters asap. They should have scheduled a little going away (some do parties, some don't), where they give you your expense check and all the details! You leave so soon.. I bet you're so excited!

PS.. We've had a few fun big gives so far!! Come on by to check em' out!!

 

[princessmamaof5]

Wow i just realized there was a new thread. Ok Ive hopped over now and I will very shortly being doing my trip report I want it to have a perfect justice to it and for being a writter I am having a hard time putting it into words

 

[Synovial]

1

this is ridiculous!! Is there one specific doctor at the hospital that won't sign off on it.. Or is it the hospital social worker? I would speak wth a supervisor of that department. I have never heard of this and i know plenty of families on state insurance. Maybe your child's pediatrician can sign off on it, or at least speak with the hospital for you? I am so sorry.

Absolutely take this up the ladder at the hospital!!



So true!! After you are approved, they cannot take your eligibility away!



I'm so excited for you!!! I would contact your wish granters asap. They should have scheduled a little going away (some do parties, some don't), where they give you your expense check and all the details! You leave so soon.. I bet you're so excited! our wish granter called today and is coming this sunday with our wish presentation and pizza, but i'm not sure if she wants just our immediate family or wants to do a party. I'm going to try and call her later today. My husband talked to her this morning and he didn't get all the details. We have 8 days until we leave! We are very excited!! Synovial

ps.. We've had a few fun big gives so far!! Come on by to check em' out!!

 

[Owensheart]

Wow i just realized there was a new thread. Ok Ive hopped over now and I will very shortly being doing my trip report I want it to have a perfect justice to it and for being a writter I am having a hard time putting it into words

I am anxious to read it!!!

 

[55Red416]

Hello, fellow Wish Trippers! Long time listener, first time caller.

With a plug for a PTR, no less. We are 37 days away from our trip, unfortunately my post count didn't make it past the filter so my link was just rejected. *sob* So feel free to click the link in my signature line and I should have the requisite number of posts...well...probably tomorrow...lol

Enjoy, and I plan to be lurking about for a while, aye? (I just watched Pirates 4, arrrggghhhh...

 

[kimmg]

First.. We have state insurance and we had no problem going. Never heard of a thing. Are you telling me you can never leave the state for a vacation?
Second.. He can never lose his MAW. Once approved they can not take it away. Who ever told you that is an idiot. You need to change social workers. Sorry for all you are going through.

See, what you're saying makes complete sense to me. I don't understand how they can do this. MAW says everything else is done, they only thing they need is the Dr's sign off and according to our social worker they won't be signing it since it is their policy. We're trying to see if our primary care can sign off. DH just got a job in another county and we were going to stay behind because he'll transfer back in the future. We're thinking of just switching hospitals. But then we'd be with a different MAW chapter and I'm worried it will mess up our DS's wish to see DW with Christmas lights. I don't know what I should do.

This is ridiculous!! Is there one specific doctor at the hospital that won't sign off on it.. or is it the hospital social worker? I would speak wth a supervisor of that department. I have never heard of this and I know plenty of families on state insurance. Maybe your child's pediatrician can sign off on it, or at least speak with the hospital for you? I am so sorry.

Absolutely take this up the ladder at the hospital!!



SO TRUE!! After you are approved, they cannot take your eligibility away!

Well, it's the hospital social worker we're talking with, but she says it's hospital policy since I guess a family at one point sued the hospital when something happened on their trip and it wasn't covered. So it left a bad taste in their mouth or something. We asked MAW if we could get his primary care to sign off on it(the ped left the practice so he sees a family practice now) and they're checking into it. I just can't believe this is happening. I wonder who I should talk with at the hospital? A patient advocate or some type of management. After a bad experience with them refusing to see him a few months ago we have a 'bad taste' in our mouths at this point. If they ruin his wish I'm going to be furious! MAW said they don't know what the social worker is talking about, he's not losing his wish.