how about an ongoing help the ill children group UPDATE WE CAN DO IT!!!

[Tesabat]

Just read through this whole thread and love this idea...

I ditto the thoughts on donating to already established Wish participants.

Good luck Ann. I'll be following this thread.

 

[4nana]

Ann ~
Best wishes in your latest endeavor. What a great idea!! I will pray you get 'a go' from Disney and they are willing to help set up a fund. Please count me in.
Thanx ^i^, Sandie

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Just wanted to add that I am willing to help as well - How ever you need me, count me in -


Karen

 

[ChattyKathy]

http://www.verandahman.com/Alyssa MAW Child DISboards.jpg


This is Alyssa....











Kathy

TY VerandahMan !! I like it

 

[pagehouse]

Well...most of you know I don't read the boards as often as I should, but my DH told me about this thread. To be honest I have not read all the way through it, but hubby did give me the details and I read some of the posts. Thought I might add my unsolicited two cents.
First and always I want to say again (and again and again) how remarkable you all are. I am so proud to be apart of this dfamily!
I wanted to say a couple of things about this particular wish thread and why ours was different. You all already know how I feel about maw and why I feel the way I do. No point in opening that can of worms again. It is true that maw does not just grant wishes to kids with terminal illness. They will grant to a child that has a "life threatening illness". Which is great in some cases, but because they use the phrase "life threatening illness" so loosely, they end up granting wishes to children that maybe shouldn't be getting that wish. Wait, what I mean is, it is a horrible shame that ANY child go through ANY illness. It breaks my heart for a child to suffer in any situation. But, fortunately, not all children are sick to the point that they may only have one chance at a special wish. Maybe if maw could narrow the definition of "life threatening illness" they could afford larger wishes for kids who have but one chance to get the single most wonderful thing they desire in their short lives. I say this because I know first hand a family of 10 that got a wish trip to DW for a child that HAD had an illness. At the time of the trip the child had recovered and was living a normal healthy life.
Anyway... Nate received his wish from WISHING WELL FOUNDATION. A very small organization that differs from maw in a million and 1 ways. When we were told that Nate was getting the wish, we just assumed it would be for 4 days. I mean holy moly, there are 5 of us and have you seen the price of a cruise! Besides, his wish was to just go, not for a specific length or location. Our wish coordinator told us the trip would be 7 days. We were in shock! Then we were told that Disney donates several "compassion trips" for ill children and so the cruise would be 4 days because that is what Disney donates. We were elated, over joyed, couldn't be happier infact. Then two days later Robin called back and said I have good news. I was thinking how could the news be any better than the fact Nate was getting his wish. She told me that Wishing Well wanted us to have the 7 day cruise and so they declined Disney's offer of a compassion trip and bought our cruise on their own. (hence no money for a verandah). So, my point is, the organization that granted Nate's wish does not have a set of rules that they stick hard and fast to about where, how long and so on. They decide for each case instead. My other point is, dang; Disney is so good to kids. I can only imagine how much it must cost Disney to offer these compassion trips. Sure, everyone thinks "oh well Disney can afford it" and they probably can, but they don't have to do it at all. My hats off to Disney for not operating under the philosophy that all must be done to earn the mighty dollar. They give back even if it's at their expense.
So, I wonder if the reason that this wish is 4 days is because Disney has donated it to maw. maw would still have the expense of transportation, and so forth, but Disney would pay for the cruise. I'm not sure if maw would give you this info since they only want to grant wishes if they.....well, never mind. I wont go there.
I am very happy that this girl is getting a wish period. You will have just as much fun and create just as many memories on a 4 day as a 7 day. As this board once taught me, it's as wonderful as you make it. And, as I learned from experience, going on a Disney cruise was pretty awesome. Just being there, in a magical place with my son and watching him enjoy it so much and seeing his brothers being normal kids...even though our cruise was for 7 days, all of those things would have happened on a 4 day too. Just try to focus on the fact that you are going on a DISNEY CRUISE! Don't let the news of the length of trip ruin the excitement.
Oh and one more thing, I was told by several wish granting organizations that they DO NOT grant wishes for kids to go out of the US. So take heart in the fact that she might not have even been able to receive the wish if it had been to go to Italy or something. Good thing she asked for the cruise! (not sure why going to St. Martin isn't an issue?!)
O.k. have to go now. I really should get on here more often. That way I wouldn't have to cram everything into a huge, catawampus message!
Kathy- I promise I will try to respond to your pm as soon as I can.
And Hey-dDad, did you get Nate's card?
Love to all,
Chris
P.S. sorry I know this is shameless, but I lost "*50*" pounds as of this week! Life is so good! (I choose not to remember that I have 30 more to go)

 

[ChattyKathy]

Hi there, You couldnt have said this better!! I totally agree with you on all this Chris...


AND...Boy, could you and I have some intense chat over the phone,






Keep in touch, I could probably learn some good things from you!


Have a good day!!


Kath

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Chris - thank you for shedding some light on some things that the rest of us would have absolutely no idea about. Hope Nate (and all of your children) are doing well.

-- I am relatively new to the boards, and registered just several weeks before your family left on your trip - I really enjoyed reading your trip reports, and following along with the rest of the crew here -

Congratulations on your weight loss -- absolutely no shame in your hard work - lost 60 pounds myself last year (my postpartum weight from DD-13-- lol) and am working at the last 16 right now for reasons noted down below!! Kudos to WW!!

 

[AnnMorin]

I started perculating on this idea back with dear Nate and then April and then when I heard of Alyssa I really felt it was time to try to come up with something static for ill children. My hope would be that anyone who wished to donate could do so on a case by case basis where donee's could decide whom they wished to benifact. Please do not think this thread is about any child in particular, at least that was not my intent. My intent is/was to set up some type of program where it would be easier to give a little extra to whomever the particapant felt deserving.

Well back to checking my email.. hopefully I will hear back soon!

 

[TheGlensideGregorys]

Ann, I have learned that you will keep, so hopefully DCL will make it all that much easier! But you have a great idea - in some sort of "organized" effort, no matter what shape it takes. Again, any help or support you need, please feel free to ask me!

Kathy - keep your head up! I hope that things can be put in motion to grant Alyssa and you a time to remember -- Feel free to PM me again or email me again if you need to..

Chris - I became "active" on the DCL boards after your cruise w/Nate. Your story has both broken and reaffirmed my heart upon reading the history - I know that is weird, but it is true.

As a result of getting up to speed on Nate, and then April, I couldn't think of a better goal or idea for us DISers than to help when and how we can.

 

[outahere]

Ann....

What a great idea. Count us in !!!

I've read through this entire thread and I am glad to see so many DISers willing to help. There are definitely a lot of caring people here.

One idea that struck me as something that Alyssa may really, really want (aside from the cruise itself) is to share it with her entire family. I know a couple of girls Alyssa's age, who have big brothers that they absolutely adore and would not want them to miss out on something like this, so she may not like the idea of leaving him at home.

I really hope DCL helps us out with this one...... hello D.A.I.D ???

Ed

 

[AnnMorin]

Here is my reply!! WE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10/20/03

Dear Mrs. Morin:

We appreciate your interest in purchasing onboard credits for "Wish Children".
Our Disney Cruise Line Gifts is able to accept onboard credit requests starting
at $5 and in $5 increments. ($5, $10, $15) Since this is an exception to our
normal $25 increments, these are handled on request by our back office. To
order these special onboard credits, please print the Gift Order form available
on our website and fax the completed form directly to our gift desk at
407-566-7739. Callers requesting an exception to this amount through our
reservations department, would need to speak with a supervisor, which may prove
to be more time consuming.

We have many wish children confirmed to sail with us through organizations like
Make-A-Wish. However, for to privacy reasons, we are unable to release
confidential guest information to other guests. I would like to assure you that
we make these special cruise vacations very magical for the wish children and
their families.

Again, we appreciate your interest and look forward to celebrating your upcoming
birthday onboard the Disney Magic this December.

Sincerely,

Jennifer
Disney Cruise Line
Guest Communications

 

[AnnMorin]

I just finished doing the silliest happy dance (and the sprinkler guy even came today..didn't finish fixing them but he came WHAT A GREAT DAY! )

We need some type of logistics, mod's do you think we could have a perminant thread on which people sailing with an ill child could post the child's name a breif description of why that child should get a special bonus wish and sail date. Then all anyone has to do is either call the 800# (that could be on the thread at the top, maybe a copy of my email back from DCL) or fax in the request. I would think if you want to donate you should do it several weeks before the person is due to sail but I can check maybe it does not have to be even that far in advance.

Gosh I am so happy!

 

[denise5374]

Count me in...whatever happens or whatever shape this takes on. I am in! I count my blessings every day that y children are healthy. I can't imagine the heart-wrenching pain from watching an ill child suffer and I hope that I can help a little bit my giving that chance to smile.

Ann, you are truly a wonderful person fro thinking of this. I am hoping and praying that Disney says Yes! Thank you for thinking of this.

Let me know what I can do.

Denise

PS-I just read the reply from DCL. YIPPEE!!! Never should have doubted that DCL would come through for the children!!!

 

[kpgclark]

Ann, I'm wondering how people will know who to donate to. For example, are the families of these terminally ill children supposed to post their stories and discuss financially why they need donations? Will it only be MAW and other similar organization's families that we will "sponsor"? Is someone going to authenticate the stories (if you think that is necessary)? I think it is a great idea and I'd like to donate.

 

[AnnMorin]

I do think that people should have to post some type of a story as to what illness etc the child has. Otherwise my son would be wanting DD's for his pallet expander woahs
I personally do not think the families financial situation should come into play. Rich children get sick and want dreams as much as poor. My goal is to make the child (and his/her siblings) feel special and important even for a few days regardless if dad is a bank president or unemployed. I would like to verify somehow that the child is indeed some type of wish participant. I am unconcerned whether it is from wishing well, make a wish, "Bubba's babies" (I made that one up) who ever just an established organization since a doctor has to verify there is indeed a life threatening illness. I have emailed DCL back to ask how far in advance donations have to be made.
I think if there was something posted people could choose if they want to send or not. I certainly would not want anyone to feel it is neccessary to send to all or any child. I just would like it to be easier to do so if someone felt the urge.

 

[TheGlensideGregorys]

That's great news! Whatever shape this takes, I will help you out in any way that I am able. I PM'd you as well, Ann!

 

[Verandah Man]

Maybe what can be done is to have the "Wish Child's" parent or guardian, give a contact person at the organization that they are working with just to verify that their child is indeed a "Wish Child."

I am in and willing to help in any way I can.

 

[ChattyKathy]

Zip A Dee Do Dah! Zip A Dee Day! My! oh! My! oh, what a

wonderful day!! Who would have ever thought that Disney

wouldn't come thru... Your working with the best of the best!



Congrats Ann!! I knew you could do it, your truly a gem,




Kathy

 

[dennisnlisab96]

Hearing this news made my day. After not having any sleep last night...2 sick kids. Cleaning up after they BOTH got sick on the carpet in my bedroom....no naps...very cranky...hearing this put a smile on my face. Like I said before just let me know where and when we can start sending donations I'm in!!!

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by ChattyKathy
Zip A Dee Do Dah! Zip A Dee Day! My! oh! My! oh, what a

wonderful day!! Who would have ever thought that Disney

wouldn't come thru... Your working with the best of the best!



Congrats Ann!! I knew you could do it, your truly a gem,









Picture removed per request of mother