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

[AnnMorin]

I was taking to Jay and Mike at dinner about helping out another make a wish child who's mom has posted and Mike asked me.. "mom why don't you all just have a regular thing to help them?" And it got me thinking... there are SO many wonderful DIS'ers out there could we set up a permentant thread for make a wish or terminal children and if someone felt so disposed they could send donations, disney dollars etc..
There are so many times when I feel sorry for myself (like tonight when the sprinkler guy AGAIN did not show up and is trying to kill me with stress ) but there is nothing like the sorrow of an ill child. I am not a wealthy person but if everyone just gave up a little those children could have the "cruise of a lifetime" and for many it is of A LIFETIME... so even though this may be moved- I hope the moderators think this is improtant. Many people do not know about the newest "make a wish child". My son has gotten so much out of making sacrificies to help others he really appreciates his life.........I think many other blessed families could feel the same..

 

[alexandrew]

count me in....this is an especially good time to start, since the holidays are right around the corner...

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Ann - EXCELLENT idea - we deal with extremely ill and terminally ill children daily - in my husband's child neurology practice. It is the single most painful thing to witness - Please include us - will PM you re logistics -

 

[ducklite]

Great idea Ann!

I'd like to add a suggestion though--I think a lot of people are wary of donating directly over the Internet, there's just too many scammers out there who in the long run really hurt those in need.

Perhaps the mailing address of the child's local MAW affiliate with their case number to protect their anonyminity (or some other identifying information so MAW would know it was for them). That way people could donate knowing for sure that it was a legitimate request. People who wanted to donate gift baskets and such could perhaps work directly through MAW for that to happen.

I hope that a permanent thread can be started though--it's a wonderful idea!

Anne

 

[mcnuss]

What a wonderful suggestion Ann!

And Anne, great idea about working directly with MAW.

DD's dance studio does an annual show to raise funds for MAW; the last 2 years were so successful, they were able to grant the wishes of 2 children instead of just 1. It's a truly remarkable organziation.

 

[AnnMorin]

I have not even begun to think of logistics and ducklite that may be a good idea, I was just even thinking of pooling disney dollars and sending them right to the ship.. I don't know.. just really want to help any child in need... few people know this but I am/was a twin.. my sister died when we were ten and I was the lucky one who did not get cancer. It is very hard to be the one who survives a great deal of guilt follows.. that is why I would also like to help the siblings of the ill children.

 

[dennisnlisab96]

Count us in...we will help in any way we can. Just let us know when everything is figured out.

Lisa

 

[ChattyKathy]

My 11 y/o daughter is a candidate of the MakeAWish Foundation, which I am sure you are familiar with. MAW came to my home last Wed (10/15/03) and talked to my family and Alyssa (my dau)....She had to draw for them with markers and crayons a picture of what her one wish in the whole wide world would be...and she drew for them a picture of the Disney cruise ship w/ her and her family waving from aboard. ) I was elated and she brought tears to my eyes.Now; this child picked for her second wish a color TV for her bedroom. (Isn't it wonderful how little minds work)We were sort of prepared for this visit, I had to sign off papers for her doctors to sign for particular documents certifying that she is eligible for this wish. And that they did. Childrens Hospital in downtown Pittsburgh(PA) know Alyssa when they see her on the street! However, when MAW came to the house, it was then we were informed that if she picked a cruise for a wish, that she would only have 4 days...And, needless to say, for weeks, her and I and our family have been glued to the Disney videos and looking at disney cruise books over and over and over again (whew!) and surfing the net on all the sites we can get our hands into. We have been anticipating what we would want to see and also that we want to do this and that, and anxiously awaiting for MAW to come to Alyssa for her wish request. There is no way we can do what we would like to in the 4 days...since I/we jumped too fast and made an interinary for 7 days out. Shame on me!But see, the thing was- We just didnt know what they 'really' meant when they told me to tell her she could have 'anything' for a wish. I suppose in my mind they are considering the money factor as we all do when we plan a vacation, but also, I am assured that MAW functions off of mostly donations and/or contributions.We were a little disappointed thou when they had told us this about the cruise....Had Alyssa have picked another vacation- per say to travel to Hawaii, Italy, Calif, Etc ...she/we could have gone for 7-10 days.Well let me tell you, after all the reading and watching of that Disney video I had acquired, we have/had all kinds of ideas in our brains! Disney is a wonderful place, as you must already know! It is the most magical place on earth and I am truly delighted that Alyssa picked Disney, whether it be the cruise or the 'World'. Anyways, Alyssa told the wishgranter that she would like to swim with the dolphins when she got to an island and also that she would love to get a massage, LOL...I did read they are for adults over 18, but she likes the idea. (Alyssa thinks she is 25 y/o sometimes)So; all week long MAW left me in a daze....and if you please; a bit of disappointment also. Well; I have been thinking hard and strong for answers about this cruise now.. I did call a travel agent today to request price differences out of curiosity, I wanted to see what the difference would be for a 4 day as opposed to a 7 day cruise...and, OUCH...
I am a single mom and I cannot afford anything that expensive to enhance this for her. The additional 3 days to make it the 7 day cruise, instead of the 4 that they are offering would be varied in price depending on time of year. Some of it didn't sound so bad but in reality, I'll need hand money on the ship....so I can't over extend myself .And...Please~I stress Please~ I do not want you to think for one minute that I am being ungracious for MAW; because that is not it at all, I am merely trying to get Alyssa what I had allowed her/I to pick and choose things that seem to be out of my reach at this point. She is really excited and wants to do this. I am a parent in this world that beleives ~When you make a promise to a child, especially... You hold to it, or else down the road, that child will lose the trust he/she has in you. And, this is what I beleive I did.
When MAW told us, we went and planned it for a seven day cruise and shouldn't have until they made the actual visit. I helped and allowed Alyssa to make an interinary and plans on the boat that I can't now keep, and I am shattered over it because Alyssa is the one has takes the brunt of my mistake/misunderstanding.
Well here is the whole story in a nutshell Ann... and Bonnie... Thanks for everything ladies! Youns sure are angels in disquise!


Kathy

 

[Dreamer04]

Ann, count me in! Organizing this kind of thing is not my forte, but I'll do anything I can. I appreciate you coming up with this idea and affording us all the opportunity to spread some pixie dust.

 

[jwann]

COunt me in, too.
There seems to be alot of love on these boards

 

[Grumbo]

I'm sure that Make a Wish is a wonderful organization but do remember that Nate's family had problems with them and ended up using Wishing Well.
There are lots of organizations such as Tender Wishes as well.
As opposed to any particular one I wonder if DCL would assist with onboard credits/Disney dollars if we donated?

Kathy I realize that you planned with your daughter for a 7 day cruise and at I say this with the greatest of respect, I am sure she will love a four day cruise. There are so many children that want a final wish and I am sure that the organization has to use its resources to give as many children a "wish" and a four day cruise is probably what their budget fits.

There is so much to do and see even on a four day cruise and I think if you broach the subject with her in a positive happy light she will enjoy her time with Mickey and Minnie on the High Seas

Count me in Ann when you get the logistics sorted.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[CourtasanSatine]

just a small idea: what about something for ill adults? My dad died of cancer when I was 16 so in a way I can relate to what the kids of dying adults go through

 

[snelsonbrown]

Please count me in - I wish we were a world where we didn't need any organizations to help anyone for anything or with anything - I wish we were a world where everything was perfect and ill health especially for the children and adults was something that was non-existant and we always have everything that we wish for but since this is not so, yes I do believe we should have this thread that can bring smiles to a child.
Ann just let me know what I can do to help ok
Always
Shirley

 

[grandma_x2]

i will help we have a grandson that was born with blader out side of his body we went thrugh 9 houre of surgrey 6weeks of traction befor we could hold him for the first time and i havent let go yet. life flight and pitchirdrens hospitel are the best so frendly. i know it isent a cruse but did you ever think of helping the roneld mcdondel house you can sponser a famley for as much or as less as you want.some famleys are there for mounths with kids in hospitel. or you can give food or paper prodects. you can't do everything some we have to leave to god .but every time my littel angel makes it thrugh another opration we thank god and move on or you can go crasey so if it is only a four day i am sure she will love it and you will still be her mom and lets face it we are not god so we take what we get and make the best of it. well enough of my too sence or not sence keep up the good work. i am taking my angel baby on a disney jan 31 and all we need is well wishes and frendley fases so if we can send a card or do enything eles just let me know grandma x 2

 

[Verandah Man]

Ann,

You know you have my support on this. I have been in touch with ChattyKathy via e-mail, and am willing to do what I can to help. It is like Shirley said, if this was but a perfect world, but then, we would never see the good in others now would we. There are a great group of loving and caring DIS'ers on this board, and I'm happy to be a small part of that group.

 

[aprilgail2]

I am really surprised to hear anything bad about the Make A Wish foundation....we had a awesome wish granted many years ago but I guess with the amount of children with cancer now they have to cut back on the amount spent on each wish. When Matt first got sick back in 1989 Sloan Kettering was wonderful, each patient got individual attention but this past time before he passed away and was getting treatment there again it was like a mad house, there were just wall to wall kids and new ones being brought in every day. Also with Make a Wish the kids don't have to be terminal, they only have to have life threatening illnesses. When Matt had his first wish he had Leukemia (ALL), which is life threatening but in most cases not terminal but Make a wish gave him a trip on the Big Red Boat, a week in Disney, we got in excess of $1,000 spending money, they rented us a van in Florida, had a Limo to take us to and from the airport here and put us up in the Contemporary Hotel the whole time. They even let Matt make his wish to include me (he was my godson) since his dad had passed away a year or so prior to his wish.
There are alot of wonderful foundations out there like the Starlight Foundation and Wish Is Granted. The problem is also you have people that try to "double dip" and get things from every foundation instead of just getting one wish, its a sad thing but very true, I know numerous people who have done it so it does stretch each organizations budgets....

 

[glindamood]

Count me in - on whatever everyone decides. I would be happy to send a little every month - jjust let me know where.

 

[Dreamer04]

Does Disney have a foundation that can help us get this thing off the ground? I think helping arrange stateroom credits, upgrades, special character meets, spa appts for parents, concierge treatment are all ways a "wish" can be made a dream vacation for children and parents. How about the D.A.I.D.? Do you think he/she could help us?

 

[disny4ever]

Definitely count us in, always good to help out when possible.

 

[AnnMorin]

I know it has been forwarded on via Andy to one area of DCL and I myself sent it on another venue. Hopefully something can happen to help Alyssa's dream along. If not please do not dispair, as I told you privately she will have a fantastic time even on the shorter cruise!
If anyone has suggestions on how to get this thing off the ground please let me know. What I was hoping/stivng for would be an ongoing thing that wuld not be a large financial burden to anyone but collectively could be a huge surprise to the recipients. Think about it if even50 people sent in ten disney dollars. There would be 500 DD's that could be distributed. So if there were lets say ten ill children they could each get 50 DD's to spend on the cruise, that is alot of arcade cards or stuffed animals or smoothies. Financially I can't "change" anyone's life but I would like to help inhance it for a few days if I could.