***Wishing**** MAW Dec 11 -17 2010 And the fun begins...

[Bearshouse]

Our PTR:

Cast includes: Me, DH, DS(10) Alexander (wish child), and DD(6) Veronica.

Synopsis: A trip nearly 11 years in the making. See how the adventure starts and the plans to get us to Disney World.

The beginning:

It was a cold and blustery December morning 1999. No where near time for this baby to be born. However he had other ideas. At just 26 weeks and weighing a whopping 2lbs, Alexander entered the world. He would find that the NICU would be his home for more then 2 months. There his parents would learn words like inter-ventricular hemorrhage (brain bleed), cerebral palsy, and developmental delays. They would spend both Christmas and the new millennium by his side praying for the best and preparing for the worst. Not being able to hold or even touch him because of over stimulation.

Over the next 4 years specialists, therapists, doctors and others would tell his parents not to expect much of anything. Even though these parents did everything they could, they saw milestone after milestone pass them by. Until one day when Alexander and his mom were shopping. It was one of his favorite activities. He loved to people watch. But this trip would prove to be different. It started the same as any other trip. Until they went to look for clothes for him. He would be starting a special preschool in 2 weeks. After only a few minutes of looking started to cry and scream. He had always laughed when picking out clothes so this was unusual. After nearly 10 minutes and all the repositioning hadn't helped. Mom was at her wits end.

Could it be he wanted something in particular? No, it couldn't be that, could it? So him mom sat down on the floor next to his wheel chair and began looking in the direction he was. There in the far upper corner of the store was a yellow and blue striped shirt. Could Alexander be staring at that? Could he be trying to "say" what he wanted? It took time to find a pole to get the shirt down. Once his size was found and in his lap he settled. He then used even muscle to unclench his hand and grab the shirt.

It would prove to be the beginning of his long awaited communicating. Over the next 2 years while his health remained unstable he would learn to use "uh" for yes and "huh uh" for no.

When Alexander was almost 6 he became a big brother. Veronica became perfectly precocious, although she is precious too. They would learn to communicate in unconventional ways and be the best of friends. They allowed their mom to say things like "stop pulling your sisters hair" and "if you got off of his lap he wouldn't pull your hair".


The middle:

As you can see the road has been an adventure from the beginning. We have attempted to take a family vacation for nearly 5 years. Each time something has unexpectedly happened. This last time our wonderful pediatrician sent in Alexander's information to MAW and we got a call that Alexander qualified. And so another adventure begins. He chose to go to Disney World. He wants to see Phineas and Ferb. He laughs hysterically every time the show is on. Plus he knows that the princesses live there and he wanted to do something his sister would enjoy too.

Now it is less then 3 months til we leave, I am bursting at the seams. You see we can't actually tell the kids when we are going. They would stay awake until we actually left. Alexander stayed awake nearly 72 hours waiting for Christmas one year. So I am all on the inside.

I need your help to help me be the keeper of the secret!!!! Shhh...... don't tell!

Stay tuned for plans and updates.

Bearshouse

[fulseasmama]

Thanks for sharing your story and congrats on a wish for a very special boy. I look forward to following your PTR as you plan your vacation.

[syammt]

Subbing on your ptr. Congrats on getting your dates. You are going to have so much fun. Going to follow along and can't wait to see some pics of that wonderful sounding little boy of your.

[Glo's wish]

I'm subbing too! I cant wait to hear your plans.

[Bearshouse]

We have reservations at the castle for dinner on Alexander's birthday. Then off to MVMCP. So excited that I could get reservations. He has a thing for blonde's so here is hoping Cinderella will be there.

Bearshouse

[billwendy]

Originally Posted by Bearshouse

We have reservations at the castle for dinner on Alexander's birthday. Then off to MVMCP. So excited that I could get reservations. He has a thing for blonde's so here is hoping Cinderella will be there.

Bearshouse

Wow - what a story!! Glad he is getting a Wish and going to the Castle!!!! Cinderella better watch out!!!

[Bearshouse]

Okay so we are just 65 days away from our magical vacation. I am bursting at the seams. I have no idea how I am going to make it thru the next 65 days. I suppose we have to get thru Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping. But still I believe I have tigger beat in bouncing off the walls.

Our DD(6) is just starting to read so we are going to write out a sentence for the trip. Giving her a new word as we pass through each state. Obviously Disney will have to be the last word.

For anyone planning a trip and you are having trouble getting reservations at a downtown restaurant. Just call them directly. We thought the kids would the T-Rex cafe and were having problems because on the website it said they were full. Nope just only have so many slots for the Disney website.

So T-Rex look out. Btw we even were able to state we couldn't be in the ice room because of seizures.

SOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!




Bearshouse

[Bearshouse]

Originally Posted by billwendy

Cinderella better watch out!!!

Yes poor prince charming doesn't have a chance.

[Bearshouse]

All right so we are now just 39 days til we leave. I talked to the Wish Coordinator and we will meet one final time with the volunteers in the next 3-4 weeks.

We found a project to do make time fly faster. We moved this summer to a house that has a step to get into the house. (Actually we moved 200 miles from the city we grew up in). We are going to build a ramp and platform this week. Right now we just treat the step like a curb.

So let's hope this week speeds by. Leaving only a few more weeks. With Thanksgiving in there and putting up the tree this should be one fast month. And not to forget the Christmas presents to wrap. (And yes I am done shopping)

Bearshouse

[Glo's wish]

Originally Posted by Bearshouse

All right so we are now just 39 days til we leave. I talked to the Wish Coordinator and we will meet one final time with the volunteers in the next 3-4 weeks.

We found a project to do make time fly faster. We moved this summer to a house that has a step to get into the house. (Actually we moved 200 miles from the city we grew up in). We are going to build a ramp and platform this week. Right now we just treat the step like a curb.

So let's hope this week speeds by. Leaving only a few more weeks. With Thanksgiving in there and putting up the tree this should be one fast month. And not to forget the Christmas presents to wrap. (And yes I am done shopping)

Bearshouse

DONE shopping??!!!! You are my hero!!! Oh ya, YAY for 39 days!!!!!

[Loodlow]

Subbing and so excited for yoU!

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

subbing to follow your pre-trip report!!!

[Emilyswish]

Can't wait to hear all about it, I just love the shirt story, amazing! We have a wish trip very soon after yours!

[cogero]

That is a wonderful communication story. I am the mom of an almost 3 year old with PPD NOS and is Nonverbal right now. Anytime I get a work or a gesture it is a huge party in our house.

So excited for your trip.

[tebi73]

We'll be @ WDW the same time as you! I know what you mean about getting excited. This is our 3rd trip there as a family and we are still over the moon about it. We're surprising our 9 yr. old son with this trip as a reward for earning his black belt in TKD. I know that your family will have a terrific time! What a great place to spend your first family vacation! Maybe we'll see you at one of the parks!