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

[Lilfoot93]

Hello

I am new here! My 4 year old Lily just got her dates for GKTW for Jan 3-9. She is so excited. Would love to get as much info as I can and start planning.

I'm glad Lily is getting her wish!

For some reason I can't update on Cade's trip report. I have been trying to do it for 5 days but it won't let me - says I am not logged in so I am just going to do it over here.

We go our packet with our expense check and everything. We don't do a sendoff party or anything like that. I can't believe how close everything is. Last week Cade had an appointment with genetics again - I was hoping for answers, but I should have known better. We are going to go to a new GI for a 2nd opinion on his treatment. We probably should do that for endocrinology too, but not sure who to go to. He is going to have another MRI of his brain - it has been a while since he had one and we just need to see if there have been any changes and Dr. R also wants him to have neuropsych testing. I suppose all of these could just be more puzzle pieces, I feel like we will never really have the true answer.

On the Disney front - the kids are so excited!! I feel like I will never have everything done in time! I planned a rough itinerary and feedback will be great. Here it is:

10/20 Arrive in Orlando at 11:30 AM
Arrive at GKTW sometime after and eat lunch get settled
Explore the village and maybe go to Downtown Disney and of course
the orientation
10/21 Hollywood Studios = for Lightning McQueen, Cade loves him
10/22 Legoland - Cade is a lego fanatic
10/23 Magic Kingdom
10/24 not sure - maybe Animal Kingdom
10/25 Universal Island of Adventure
10/26 Departure Day ...our plane leaves at 5:35 - don't know what we
will do

any suggestions or input?

How exciting, your trip is almost here! I hope you guys have a magical time!

Quick question for everyone with experience! My son Carter is 7 and has CVID. I referred him for a MAW the first of September. We received the wonderful MAW family packet on Sept 24. They included all of the paperwork along with his 2 wish granters names. We still have not heard from them. He is getting a little anxious as you can understand! It does say in the letter if they don't contact us by Oct 16 to call the regional director and her number. Has anyone else had this same experience?? I am a huge planner and it is driving me nuts to wait!
Thanks, Melissa

I would call tomorrow if you don't hear anything. Sometimes they get busy and it never hurts to call! Glad to hear your son gets his wish! My wish kid, Trevor is 7 also. We will be going sometime the end of May.

we leave friday for our trip:
sunday miss wish
1. fell off a curb and sprained her ankle
2. developed a cold
3. lost a tooth while she was sleeping and woke up with a bloody ring around her mouth

and today had a fever and got started on antibiotics....
plus big sis is wheezing and I (hopefully just) got tummy sick from the wish send off dinner. And tomorrow I am getting another steroid shot for my knee.

what a week! hope we can get it together for the trip

Oh no!! I hope she is better for her trip this week! Praying for a quick recovery for her.

Hi,
I have been a lurker of this thread since my son was born 4 years ago and am excited to be able to join you guys for my son's sake. However, my first post is a weird dilemma. I have to give a little backstory first. I referred my little guy when he turned three to MAW. In March, our family physician would not sign it because my ds did not have "a death date" according to him. I was gun shy and waited a month before asking my sons GI dr. My sons GI dr. said he would help us out. Then a week later his not-so-nice nurse called to say he would not sign off on it because he didn't feel comfortable. I asked her if the dr. had actually looked at it because of our conversation. She stated yes that he was sitting right next to her. That was April. End of story..... (so I thought)



I feel so torn...... I went from thinking my little boy would never get a wish to having to choose between two companies. So, any experiences. I am leaning towards MAW because I love GKTW! He is non-verbal, but does have a few signs and simple words. He knows how to sign train and Mickey and says "Kee" for Mickey. The 2nd lady also jumped down my throat when I said the two things he loves most are trains and Mickey that we were leaning towards WDW for him. Saying that "of course, all kids like Mickey Mouse". Can you guys help me out. I am so excited for my little guy!!!!! I can hardly stand it, I want to scream it from the mountain tops. Can you relate? Thanks for reading my really long dilemma. What do you think?

I am only familiar with MAW as that is who we are going through. I would go through which ever one you are most comfortable with. Sorry I don't have any experience with the other wish granting companies. I am sure they all do a magical job with your childs wish! I know that when the wish grantors came out in May they were fine with us having dates the following May or possibly December 2013 if for some reason Star Wars Weekend did not pan out. Sorry to hear about all the trouble you had getting a wish granted for your son.

Jackie

 

[yeti5353]

Hi,

.

I called the 2nd wish granting organization to tell them nevermind MAW is working on it. She gets real protective about her agency telling me I need to go with them because they support families until the child turns 21, has support groups, "doesn't throw disney world in your face like MAW", and that she wouldn't take my son to WDW at age 4 because he will never remember it, and so they are willing to wait a couple of years until he can remember it.

I feel so torn...... I went from thinking my little boy would never get a wish to having to choose between two companies. So, any experiences. I am leaning towards MAW because I love GKTW! He is non-verbal, but does have a few signs and simple words. He knows how to sign train and Mickey and says "Kee" for Mickey. The 2nd lady also jumped down my throat when I said the two things he loves most are trains and Mickey that we were leaning towards WDW for him. Saying that "of course, all kids like Mickey Mouse". Can you guys help me out. I am so excited for my little guy!!!!! I can hardly stand it, I want to scream it from the mountain tops. Can you relate? Thanks for reading my really long dilemma. What do you think?

My daughter has a unique situation in that we were encouraged by her nephrologist to go soon, before she got sicker. Her disease is very unpredictable and I expect from what I know that things may not be all that easy... at any rate choosing to go before she got sick was tough for me. some one told me too things that helped- dont get in a situation where you regret you never got to give her this chance to be a kid in a big way and "a dream is a wish your heart makes" I think the choice of agency and when to go is more a matter of the heart than the head. we dont know what the future holds for our kids so go with your heart.

Deb

 

[raegansmom]

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to post a short introduction ......

We just received confirmation for our MAW trip. My daughter, Raegan, age 6, will be getting her wish Dec. 21-30!

I'll make a post in the pre-trip area to introduce us and post some photos.

I'll be making the trip with just my children, ages 19, 16, 7 and 6. Raegan and my 7 yr old are adopted from China

Any advice is welcome ....... I am very familiar with Disney as I grew up going every year but this will be an unique experience I'm sure!

Margie

 

[Lilfoot93]

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to post a short introduction ......

We just received confirmation for our MAW trip. My daughter, Raegan, age 6, will be getting her wish Dec. 21-30!

I'll make a post in the pre-trip area to introduce us and post some photos.

I'll be making the trip with just my children, ages 19, 16, 7 and 6. Raegan and my 7 yr old are adopted from China

Any advice is welcome ....... I am very familiar with Disney as I grew up going every year but this will be an unique experience I'm sure!

Margie

I'll go check out your PTR.

Jackie

 

[yeti5353]

[

I'll be making the trip with just my children, ages 19, 16, 7 and 6. Raegan and my 7 yr old are adopted from China

Wecome and happy planning! My two are also adopted from China!

 

[yeti5353]

our plans based on crowd predictions and no school in orlando friday and monday as well as the food and wine festival, and the parties miss wish want to do at GKTW.

friday arrive, hang a GKTW and pirates and princess party

Saturday
breakfast at O'hana with stitch,
animal kingdom and maybe a little hollywood

Sunday
discovery cove and hopefully I fly indoor sky diving
candyland party

Monday
sea world,
halloween party at GKTW

Tuesday
epcot with dinner at tepan edo in japan

Wednesday Magic kingdown
crystal palace with pooh and crew

thursday GKTW till plane time (1:00)

 

[NEmel]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I did call the MAW office today and I guess one of Carter's wish granters got our number wrong. Not sure, but she did call later this afternoon. We are set to meet them next Wednesday night! Can't wait it will be a long week! I did start a PTR on the board.
Thanks!
Melissa

 

[michiml03]

Good Morning, we are her now and loving it as much as we can, Let me just start with don't take this post the wrong way We are so grateful for what we have gotten. So we arrived to GKTW great place loved our villa so much room go unpacked quick went to walmart for a few things then hit MNSSHP. When we returned to our villa there was a bit of a problem and we were told by a night manager we will be moved to another villa. We packed everything up with 2 tired 5 yrs olds my poor son just wanted to go home it broke my heart. Few minutes later we were told that villa we were being moved to is on reserve and there is nowhere for us to go. Now I'm upset my kids are upset and my hubby just trying to make this right. finally we get moved to off site hotel very nice no complaints. next day GKTW moved to WDW property awesome except no we have no washer or dryer and have to use 2x as much gas to go back and forth to GKTW for meals so our $$ is going quickly. Our chapter has been awesome got us 2 days extended more $$. Aiden had an awesome time at IOA he got to meet all the super heros at the same time behind the scenes. All in all we are having a great time having bkfst with the character today.

 

[NEmel]

Good Morning, we are her now and loving it as much as we can, Let me just start with don't take this post the wrong way We are so grateful for what we have gotten. So we arrived to GKTW great place loved our villa so much room go unpacked quick went to walmart for a few things then hit MNSSHP. When we returned to our villa there was a bit of a problem and we were told by a night manager we will be moved to another villa. We packed everything up with 2 tired 5 yrs olds my poor son just wanted to go home it broke my heart. Few minutes later we were told that villa we were being moved to is on reserve and there is nowhere for us to go. Now I'm upset my kids are upset and my hubby just trying to make this right. finally we get moved to off site hotel very nice no complaints. next day GKTW moved to WDW property awesome except no we have no washer or dryer and have to use 2x as much gas to go back and forth to GKTW for meals so our $$ is going quickly. Our chapter has been awesome got us 2 days extended more $$. Aiden had an awesome time at IOA he got to meet all the super heros at the same time behind the scenes. All in all we are having a great time having bkfst with the character today.

Oh no! That is not the way you expected your trip to start. Glad they fixed everything and hopefully the rest of your trip goes off without a hitch! Enjoy.

 

[kritter47]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I did call the MAW office today and I guess one of Carter's wish granters got our number wrong. Not sure, but she did call later this afternoon. We are set to meet them next Wednesday night! Can't wait it will be a long week! I did start a PTR on the board.
Thanks!
Melissa

Hah, that was the other possibility I thought about throwing out. I've called wrong numbers too. If the form they get is hand-written (and I had both hand-written and computer generated), then it can be very easy to read a phone number incorrectly.

Glad it all worked out for you.

 

[maroo]

I know I've been MIA for a while now - we have been having some health issues with Matthew. They are testing for leukemia and just this weekend he's been complaining of tummy pain/tenderness. He's on a feeding tube, and it was pulled out while he was playing with his brother last week. His white count is very low and he is neutropenic at the moment also - so I thought maybe his inner stomach lining was irritated and it would just take time to heal. Well, now he is bleeding (no granulation tissue though) and started running a 102 fever tonight. I'm calling GI in the morning. It's just been crazy! But I promise I'm not gone... well, maybe mentally. But I'll be back - just haven't had to time to get on as much with my baby under the weather.

I hope Matthew is doing much better!!

I have yet another question... well actually 2... We found out that family we do not see very often are actually going to be at Disney the same time that we are. Are they alloweed to come visit and possibly swim with us at GKTW? We can always go to their hotel but it is easier with Gavin to stay close to "home."

Also, so everyone keeps saying to bring ponchos and umbrellas... Does it rain everyday still in October? I know they said the rainy season runs through September but it looks like rain all this week. We are planning to bring ponchos but wondered for how long does it rain and how bad? Thanks again everyone

They can come visit! All you have to do is meet them at the check in area!

I always bring ponchos (usually the $1.00 kind so that I can toss them if they get really wet) with me - and a very small umbrella if it is a strong chance of rain any given day. There are showers in FL almost every day. Although last week it did not rain a drop (when we were there)...but the weekend before it was a very rainy weekend!

Yes they can come visit. I'm pretty sure they just have to check in when they get there.


Florida has occasional showers.. best bet is to goto the dollar store before you go and pick up a few ponchos. If you need them then you have them and don't have to spend $10 for one in the parks. They are also good to cover a stroller or backpack. When you are done with them just throw them away- they will never fold back up and fit nicely in the plastic.

Hi Tim!!

My thoughts exactly! ha!!

 

[maroo]

I have just a few questions that I can't find the answers to.

1) Does anyone know if -During Halloween Week - is the Halloween party at GKTW still held on Monday, like the website schedule says, or do they actually have it on Halloween (which is Wed this year)?

2) Our DD outgrew her swimsuit this year, and there are NO swimsuits for sale in Oregon at this time of year. Do you think we'll be able to pick one up at the Walmart by GKTW?

3) Any tips on visiting Legoland while we're there? It was Josh's 3rd wish (after WWHP and WDW) and we're going to try to squeeze it in if we can.

4) Has anyone made the trip to the beach while there? We're thinking of also attempting that, as Eric and the kids have never seen the Atlantic Ocean.

We are all getting super excited. I let the kids watch the Disney planning video so they would have a better idea of what to expect there, and they were just in awe. Even Eric, who never gets outwardly excited, is starting to show signs of life! lol

I just want to say that I am excited for u guys! I finally got to update your dates on your TR for the list here (and working on getting the rest updated tonight, too!!)

I recommend the Atlantic!! That will be so amazing!

How sweet!! I love how our families help out one another !

Has anyone done the Chip and Dale campfire? I'd never heard of it til I saw someone mention it elsewhere on this board. They didn't elaborate so I'm about to go do some searching. DS has been having us have pretend campfires for the past 2 weeks and I'd love to take him to a real one if possible!

Oh- I updated about our heart buddy, David, on DS's PTR. Just wanted to let those of you who have been following his story. Don't count the days. Make every day count.

I think this is at the Wilderness Lodge and Campground area...I have heard mixed reviews, but if he likes campfires, that might be perfect!!

Check the resorts section here on the DIS and they will probably have something about it! If not, feel free to start a thread and ask - make sure and let them know you are a wish family if you go!!

Having a fretful worry day today. M had a bad episode of pain last night and I am sure that set me off. dont know how I am going to manage that at the parks.

money- do I have enough?
weather and rain
leaving my mom alone for a week
staying well till we leave.
if I am in good enough shape to pull this off

just fretting....

As far as being in shape - I just got back from Disney and that has spurred me on to want to do some more walking so that I will enjoy my next trip even more than this last one!!

And I concur with the previous poster that suggested getting someone to check on your Mom - that will make you both feel so much better!!

How to get equipment to GKTW..our DME is a local company so they say they can rent us a portable concentrator, but we only need oxygen at night and rather not have to worry about on the plane. I've read posts where they say GKTW is setting up the oxygen. Can anyone give me more info on this? What about bath chairs - my DD can't sit by herself and will need a bath chair...does GKTW have these, can you rent them? Also, will MAW cover the shipping cost to get other medical equipment to GKTW?

Call MAW - they should cover all costs for this! They may need prescriptions from your physicians/DME providers for the equipment, but they can help with that part, too.

We rented a shower table for Lauren for our trip and they delivered it to us and picked it back up - we paid for it because that was not our wish trip, but it was great to not have to lug it around and pack it!

Don't remember who asked and don't have the time right now to look. But for those that are staying at GKTW. If you have visitors that would like to join you for a meal, they can buy a meal coupon at the Front Desk for $5 a person. But got to finish packing for a small vacation to NC, just wanted to post the answer before I forget. I will be visiting one of my Wish Family friends for five days.

$5.00 - that went up in the last couple of years! Still not bad for a meal, though!! Thank you so much for all of your help - there is nothing better than having someone that is there to fill us in on this stuff!!

 

[maroo]

I just had to stop for a second here...while I am answering posts...

Warning - this is SAD... and very disturbing to me for our wish families planning...if you are into "happy planning" and don't want to be upset from that, skip this post...

Because I am sitting here bawling!

I am so upset about Mia. I had heard she died, but then I heard it was another family and I am now so confused!! It seems that we lost 2 children in the same week...

I am not on the DIS nearly as much as I was in years past...and so I feel a lot more disconnected to these precious families! I want to get back into it - really into it where I can keep up with people and "meet them" where they are...but then something like this happens and it just breaks my heart! I just love these sweet families...


Anyway...I am posting the last few posts from Mia's parents. There is a place on this site to send donations and I am really not wanting to promote that part - you can send them something if you would like, but that is not my intention here. I don't really know them.

But here is what they posted for her. She was on her wish trip. They never made it to the parks.

http://www.giveforward.com/achangeofheart

**** TO GET TO THE UPDATES, CLICK ON UPDATES.....

MODS - if you want to take this down, feel free. But I am keeping it on here for now. I am just heartbroken for this family.

 

[maroo]

I was gone for about week now, just preoccupied and just came back to catch up, what alot of reading lol I love this place! there is so much information and people asking questions i never even would have thought of! This week I packed away all of our summer clothes. It make me so excited because next time they are out of the bag will to be packed for the trip!!! I was also very excited today when i seen that walmart had minnie mouse stuffed animals, not huge but not really tiny either. i figured it would be a great stocking stuffer for her. I have been doing as much as i can to get all we need for our trip now and ill wrap it up as gifts for christmas. So far i have aloe vera for me and sunscreen. Are there any items that were must have items while you were on your trip or anything you wish you had packed?

We always bring zip lock bags! Lots of uses for those in the parks! We always bring one for our phones so they don't get wet on rides.

I love a mix of peanuts and candy corn - and that is easy to pack and store - doesn't melt and provides salt and sugar if you or your kids are hungry or a little run down!

Camera and batteries!

Totally cannot believe in two weeks we will be at GKTW!!!


here are the photos of our mickey tye dye shirts. I followed the directions from disney dreamer. see our PTR for the link.

big sis with her shirt

and the other two shirts

These look really great!!!!!

I need to get those directions and make some!!

seriously odd questions I seem to need answers to:

what kind of bag hangs best from a wheelchair?

do we need mosquito spray?

Can you bring pool toys to the pool at GKTW

is there a place to change by the pool or do you have to go back to your villa?

many thanks from the over excited DEB!!!

bag totally depends on the wheelchair! We just use a back pack that has lots of pockets!

I would bring bug spray. I got eaten alive at Animal Kingdom Lodge this past weekend.

You can bring pool toys!

Not sure about the changing question...

WIll you all stop and say a prayer for sweet Mia's family. They left for her Make A Wish trip on Tuesday. After a tragic turn of events, her family has to say goodbye forever. Please keep their entire family in your thoughts and prayers. My heart is broken for this family.

Thank you so much for posting this...my heart is just broken.

A few questions...

1. How do your kiddos adjust to the time difference? We will be traveling from California.

2. My daughter is g-tube fed only, but always seems interested in food when I am eating, and I used to give her a taste here and there, but now she can't at all have a taste due to her condition. How do you handle eating in front of your children? Here at home, I can separate myself and eat while she is doing her own thing. We don't eat out much mainly because of that. She always loved having a taste of ice cream, but that is one of the worse things she can have now. What is it like to go to GKTW having a child that can't eat what they have and what all the other kids are eating, etc.

3. How does the transportation work from GKTW to parks, and how often does it run?

Thank you all.

Michelle

One thought on the time difference...is to use it to your advantage, if you want... For example: CA time is about 3 hours earlier, right? So at midnight your body still thinks it is only 9:00 PM- so that lets you stay out a lot later and catch the parks when there are fewer guests... Sleep in and stay up late! It is fun!

You should have a rental car - most families just use the car and it takes about 20-30 min to get to the parks from GKTW.

If you do use the shuttle, then call GKTW and see what time it leaves...not sure on that.

 

[that's nice]

Hi Tim!!

My thoughts exactly! ha!!

Hey there! Looks like you were enjoying yourself last week.

 

[that's nice]

I just had to stop for a second here...while I am answering posts...

Warning - this is SAD... and very disturbing to me for our wish families planning...if you are into "happy planning" and don't want to be upset from that, skip this post...

Because I am sitting here bawling!

I am so upset about Mia. I had heard she died, but then I heard it was another family and I am now so confused!! It seems that we lost 2 children in the same week...

I am not on the DIS nearly as much as I was in years past...and so I feel a lot more disconnected to these precious families! I want to get back into it - really into it where I can keep up with people and "meet them" where they are...but then something like this happens and it just breaks my heart! I just love these sweet families...


Anyway...I am posting the last few posts from Mia's parents. There is a place on this site to send donations and I am really not wanting to promote that part - you can send them something if you would like, but that is not my intention here. I don't really know them.

But here is what they posted for her. She was on her wish trip. They never made it to the parks.

http://www.giveforward.com/achangeofheart

**** TO GET TO THE UPDATES, CLICK ON UPDATES.....

MODS - if you want to take this down, feel free. But I am keeping it on here for now. I am just heartbroken for this family.

This is so sad... My heart goes out to them.

 

[blessedmom4]

I just had to stop for a second here...while I am answering posts...

Warning - this is SAD... and very disturbing to me for our wish families planning...if you are into "happy planning" and don't want to be upset from that, skip this post...

Because I am sitting here bawling!

I am so upset about Mia. I had heard she died, but then I heard it was another family and I am now so confused!! It seems that we lost 2 children in the same week...

I am not on the DIS nearly as much as I was in years past...and so I feel a lot more disconnected to these precious families! I want to get back into it - really into it where I can keep up with people and "meet them" where they are...but then something like this happens and it just breaks my heart! I just love these sweet families...


Anyway...I am posting the last few posts from Mia's parents. There is a place on this site to send donations and I am really not wanting to promote that part - you can send them something if you would like, but that is not my intention here. I don't really know them.

But here is what they posted for her. She was on her wish trip. They never made it to the parks.

http://www.giveforward.com/achangeofheart

**** TO GET TO THE UPDATES, CLICK ON UPDATES.....

MODS - if you want to take this down, feel free. But I am keeping it on here for now. I am just heartbroken for this family.

Maroo, That is the link I posted originally, I didn't even know it might be against the rules. This has also broken my heart. To have lost Mia and Bridget in a week was more than heartbreaking and has consumed my thoughts.

Mia's Mom also has a blog and if you read it, especially yesterday's post you WILL need Kleenex.

To everyone here, I know this is a sobering reminder as to WHY our children are eligible for wish trips. Hugs to you all.

Blessings,
Judy

 

[maroo]

Oh my gosh :-( :-(. It's so hard hearing about another little one passing away. I'm so sorry. :-(

We are having Christmas for David's family next weekend. It's so hard knowing there is nothing more that can be done. I hate it!!!

I will be praying. I'm so, so sorry.

This is such a wonderful thing to do for his family!! This will be such wonderful memories that will last forever!!

Hugs for David and his family, it is a pain all of us here fear, I know. As for Mia, it is heartbreaking. There really aren't any words.

Had our send off party today- we leave Friday. Looks like we get to rock a limo to and from the airport. Got our packet and all the details. We are so excited!!!

I am so excited for you guys!!!!

How exciting!! There are a lot of wish kids going this week! The limo sounds like it will be a lot of fun! I can't wait to hear about your magical trip. I hope you guys have an amazing time!

Jackie

Hello

I am new here! My 4 year old Lily just got her dates for GKTW for Jan 3-9. She is so excited. Would love to get as much info as I can and start planning.

you have come to the right place to plan!! We are so glad to have you!!

For some reason I can't update on Cade's trip report. I have been trying to do it for 5 days but it won't let me - says I am not logged in so I am just going to do it over here.

We go our packet with our expense check and everything. We don't do a sendoff party or anything like that. I can't believe how close everything is. Last week Cade had an appointment with genetics again - I was hoping for answers, but I should have known better. We are going to go to a new GI for a 2nd opinion on his treatment. We probably should do that for endocrinology too, but not sure who to go to. He is going to have another MRI of his brain - it has been a while since he had one and we just need to see if there have been any changes and Dr. R also wants him to have neuropsych testing. I suppose all of these could just be more puzzle pieces, I feel like we will never really have the true answer.

On the Disney front - the kids are so excited!! I feel like I will never have everything done in time! I planned a rough itinerary and feedback will be great. Here it is:

10/20 Arrive in Orlando at 11:30 AM
Arrive at GKTW sometime after and eat lunch get settled
Explore the village and maybe go to Downtown Disney and of course
the orientation
10/21 Hollywood Studios = for Lightning McQueen, Cade loves him
10/22 Legoland - Cade is a lego fanatic
10/23 Magic Kingdom
10/24 not sure - maybe Animal Kingdom
10/25 Universal Island of Adventure
10/26 Departure Day ...our plane leaves at 5:35 - don't know what we
will do

any suggestions or input?

This looks GREAT!!! You guys are going to have so much fun!!

Only suggestion I have is to plan for something fun when you get back! Helps with that "post wish trip" blues some of us get after such an awesome trip!

Quick question for everyone with experience! My son Carter is 7 and has CVID. I referred him for a MAW the first of September. We received the wonderful MAW family packet on Sept 24. They included all of the paperwork along with his 2 wish granters names. We still have not heard from them. He is getting a little anxious as you can understand! It does say in the letter if they don't contact us by Oct 16 to call the regional director and her number. Has anyone else had this same experience?? I am a huge planner and it is driving me nuts to wait!
Thanks, Melissa

How did this go? Did you call them? I am reading these in chronological order so hopefully I will get to it soon. lol

we leave friday for our trip:
sunday miss wish
1. fell off a curb and sprained her ankle
2. developed a cold
3. lost a tooth while she was sleeping and woke up with a bloody ring around her mouth

and today had a fever and got started on antibiotics....
plus big sis is wheezing and I (hopefully just) got tummy sick from the wish send off dinner. And tomorrow I am getting another steroid shot for my knee.

what a week! hope we can get it together for the trip

oh no!! Good news is - maybe you have gotten those things "out of the way" in time for you trip!! And a steriod shot for you knee will be good before your trip!

Hi everyone,

My daughter Emily had her wished granted back in 2010 and I just stopped by the board to say "Hi!" and wish all of the ish kids and families a great trip!!!


Aimee

Hi Aimee!!!! I hope you guys are doing well!!!

Hi,
I have been a lurker of this thread since my son was born 4 years ago and am excited to be able to join you guys for my son's sake. However, my first post is a weird dilemma. I have to give a little backstory first. I referred my little guy when he turned three to MAW. In March, our family physician would not sign it because my ds did not have "a death date" according to him. I was gun shy and waited a month before asking my sons GI dr. My sons GI dr. said he would help us out. Then a week later his not-so-nice nurse called to say he would not sign off on it because he didn't feel comfortable. I asked her if the dr. had actually looked at it because of our conversation. She stated yes that he was sitting right next to her. That was April. End of story..... (so I thought)

We have been trying to raise funds this month to get my son to the Mayo clinic and a family that has been granted a wish through Wishing Star foundation nominated my ds. We had a rehab specialist that said she would be willing to get him a wish through Wishing Star. So, once again, I filled out the paperwork. This was the middle of Sept.

So, we have a new family physician that found the wish paperwork in his chart and said to me "I would love to get him a wish". So, I called MAW to update his family physician. (don't know why really) The lady said, I'm sorry we have new office staff and the GI dr. approved his wish on Aug. 22nd We should be contacting you in the next couple of weeks.

I called the 2nd wish granting organization to tell them nevermind MAW is working on it. She gets real protective about her agency telling me I need to go with them because they support families until the child turns 21, has support groups, "doesn't throw disney world in your face like MAW", and that she wouldn't take my son to WDW at age 4 because he will never remember it, and so they are willing to wait a couple of years until he can remember it.

I feel so torn...... I went from thinking my little boy would never get a wish to having to choose between two companies. So, any experiences. I am leaning towards MAW because I love GKTW! He is non-verbal, but does have a few signs and simple words. He knows how to sign train and Mickey and says "Kee" for Mickey. The 2nd lady also jumped down my throat when I said the two things he loves most are trains and Mickey that we were leaning towards WDW for him. Saying that "of course, all kids like Mickey Mouse". Can you guys help me out. I am so excited for my little guy!!!!! I can hardly stand it, I want to scream it from the mountain tops. Can you relate? Thanks for reading my really long dilemma. What do you think?

Aw man! Like too much of a good thing.

If your child has been granted a wish through ANY wish granting organization that states he/she has a life threatening illness, then regardless of the organization, you should be able to stay at GKTW. GKTW works with hundreds of wish granting organizations.

There are SOME organizations that grant wishes based on other things and the child is not necessarily life threatening - in which case you can't stay at GKTW - but that does not sound like it is the case for you guys...if that makes any sense....

 

[maroo]

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to post a short introduction ......

We just received confirmation for our MAW trip. My daughter, Raegan, age 6, will be getting her wish Dec. 21-30!

I'll make a post in the pre-trip area to introduce us and post some photos.

I'll be making the trip with just my children, ages 19, 16, 7 and 6. Raegan and my 7 yr old are adopted from China

Any advice is welcome ....... I am very familiar with Disney as I grew up going every year but this will be an unique experience I'm sure!

Margie

to the DIS! So glad you guys have joined us!

Let us know when you have done a pretrippie report so that we can follow you guys over there!

our plans based on crowd predictions and no school in orlando friday and monday as well as the food and wine festival, and the parties miss wish want to do at GKTW.

friday arrive, hang a GKTW and pirates and princess party

Saturday
breakfast at O'hana with stitch,
animal kingdom and maybe a little hollywood

Sunday
discovery cove and hopefully I fly indoor sky diving
candyland party

Monday
sea world,
halloween party at GKTW

Tuesday
epcot with dinner at tepan edo in japan

Wednesday Magic kingdown
crystal palace with pooh and crew

thursday GKTW till plane time (1:00)

Looks like GREAT plans!!! Have a BLAST!!

Thanks for everyone's advice. I did call the MAW office today and I guess one of Carter's wish granters got our number wrong. Not sure, but she did call later this afternoon. We are set to meet them next Wednesday night! Can't wait it will be a long week! I did start a PTR on the board.
Thanks!
Melissa

Woot Woot!!!

I will go try to find the pretrippie tonight!

Good Morning, we are her now and loving it as much as we can, Let me just start with don't take this post the wrong way We are so grateful for what we have gotten. So we arrived to GKTW great place loved our villa so much room go unpacked quick went to walmart for a few things then hit MNSSHP. When we returned to our villa there was a bit of a problem and we were told by a night manager we will be moved to another villa. We packed everything up with 2 tired 5 yrs olds my poor son just wanted to go home it broke my heart. Few minutes later we were told that villa we were being moved to is on reserve and there is nowhere for us to go. Now I'm upset my kids are upset and my hubby just trying to make this right. finally we get moved to off site hotel very nice no complaints. next day GKTW moved to WDW property awesome except no we have no washer or dryer and have to use 2x as much gas to go back and forth to GKTW for meals so our $$ is going quickly. Our chapter has been awesome got us 2 days extended more $$. Aiden had an awesome time at IOA he got to meet all the super heros at the same time behind the scenes. All in all we are having a great time having bkfst with the character today.

wow! That sounds like a lot of stuff going on there! I am glad Aiden got to meet the super heros!!

Which hotel are you guys staying at now? It should have laundry facilities if you guys need it!

Hey there! Looks like you were enjoying yourself last week.

I did!!! It was so wonderful!!! We had so many cool surprises and things I had never done at Disney - it was really amazing. And it was really cool to get to spend time with my cousin!

 

[blessedmom4]

I did!!! It was so wonderful!!! We had so many cool surprises and things I had never done at Disney - it was really amazing. And it was really cool to get to spend time with my cousin!

I didn't know you were at Disney how exciting! Glad you had fun!

Hi Tim!!