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

[Momtokcc]

Hi everyone! My name is Kevin, and I am brand new to posting here. I have been lurking around for a few months, reading lots of posts and soaking up a ton of information, and I thought it was time to introduce myself and my family!

Hi and welcome Kevin. I am new here too. I have a 7 yr old as well but my wish child is my 9 year old.

 

[Indykjt]

Welcome abourd Kevin. Glad you found us on here. The folks on here are very nice, and are quick to answer any questions you may have. Even Maroo, who started this very thread awhile ago, answered one of my PM's despite the fact that at the time, she had taken off time from posting here.

Have you guys started leaning towards any specific wish yet? I have a 6 YO, and it was a challenge. Much more easier for my 10 YO.

I have already learned a great deal just reading through this most recent thread. We haven't discussed his specific wish too much yet, as it really has just been all about going to Disney. He loves race cars, and there are several of the characters that he is pretty attached to, so I am sure the MAW people will be able to figure out something truly special for him!

Hi and welcome Kevin. I am new here too. I have a 7 yr old as well but my wish child is my 9 year old.

Hi! We have always wanted to take the kids to Disney, but have never really had the chance. We think they are a great age to go now, and will both have the experience of a lifetime!

 

[carebearkidney]

Hi everyone! I introduced myself a WHILE back, but we are on the wait list for our wish to be granted. I'm Karen - howdy! And my wish son is Matthew - he was born with stage 5 kidney disease and started dialysis at the age of 7 days old. He's been transplanted now for a little over two years! WAHOO!
He's had a BUNCH of complications and has needed 29 surgeries in his short 4 years, but after a consult and procedure with the surgeons on July 11th, we are cleared for the next 6 months! No surgeries for 6 whole months!! I think I'm still in shock he gets such a long reprieve!
I have finally started our PTR (To Kidney - and beyond!) It's down below...along with my other trip report I am trying to write about on his one year kidney-versary celebration where the grandparents chipped in for us to celebrate with Mickey.
I hope to get to know all of you and your inspiring warriors soon. Now that things are less , maybe I'll have some free time....

 

[twinmum]

Hi Wish Trippers! My name is Amber. I just posted a new PTR this morning for my daughter Savannah and wanted to share it will you all here. My son Sebastian who battled Osteoclastoma had his wish to meet Buzz Lighteyear granted in 2008. Savannah, my youngest daughter has Mitochondrial Disease Complex I and III. We are just kicking off with the proceses of having her wish granted through the Make a Wish Foundation. I wanted to invite you to join our adventure over on her PTR. I also look forward to interacting with you on this thread. The friendships I made four years ago through the Wish Trippers Unite earlier volumes and Sebastian's PTR continue to be such a blessing in our life. I's exited to connect on these boards again as we make our Princess' dream come true.

Princess Savannah's Magical Make A Wish Trip

Well, now I knew there was a reason to check out the Wish Trippers thread after a long hiatus!!! Amber's back and so is Maroo! Amber, I am thrilled for Savannah that she will have her wish granted, but I am well aware of the challenges you face. Hopefully the planning and enjoyment of this trip will brighten everyone's spirits. And Maroo, I know it has been a difficult time and also hope you'll be able to share a little bit more re: outcome but hope that your life is less stressful than it was.

I think I am "new" to almost everyone else here....our son Mark has cerebral palsy and was granted a wish by Starlight Starbright in Canada. Our WDW trip was in November, 2008. We were blessed with a magical stay at GKTW and created beautiful memories together. Having participated in this thread, we were even better prepared to make the most of this amazing experience. But what I was not prepared for is that I made friends here who continue to bring support and friendship. I've only ever met Maroo (and Lauren and her Mom Lisa) in person, but keep in touch with many others.

So good to "see" you both here!
Alison

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

Well, now I knew there was a reason to check out the Wish Trippers thread after a long hiatus!!! Amber's back and so is Maroo! Amber, I am thrilled for Savannah that she will have her wish granted, but I am well aware of the challenges you face. Hopefully the planning and enjoyment of this trip will brighten everyone's spirits. And Maroo, I know it has been a difficult time and also hope you'll be able to share a little bit more re: outcome but hope that your life is less stressful than it was.

I think I am "new" to almost everyone else here....our son Mark has cerebral palsy and was granted a wish by Starlight Starbright in Canada. Our WDW trip was in November, 2008. We were blessed with a magical stay at GKTW and created beautiful memories together. Having participated in this thread, we were even better prepared to make the most of this amazing experience. But what I was not prepared for is that I made friends here who continue to bring support and friendship. I've only ever met Maroo (and Lauren and her Mom Lisa) in person, but keep in touch with many others.

So good to "see" you both here!
Alison

So happy to see you here again too Alison. Never could have imagined 4 years ago that all the people who touched our life through the wish process would continue to bless us with their friendship. xoxo

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

I am back!

For those of you guys that have no idea who in the world I am - I am so sorry to have been gone for so long!

My hiatus was not by my choice and is a very long story - but I am back!

I should be back here on a basically daily basis again.

It is going to take me some time to catch up on this thread and find the wish trippers out there that need their stories linked on here!

FEEL FREE to post a link to your threads here and I will try to get to all of them asap!

Welcome back love! And now the Disboards are complete for me

 

[Lilfoot93]

Hi everyone! My name is Kevin, and I am brand new to posting here. I have been lurking around for a few months, reading lots of posts and soaking up a ton of information, and I thought it was time to introduce myself and my family!

I have an amazing wife of 16 years, Becky, who is the mother of my incredible kids... our 13 year-old daughter Sierra, and our 7 year-old son Braden.

Braden was born with Spina Bifida, and has had many ups and downs in his 7 years. We just found out a few days ago that he was approved for a wish through MAW! I can't put into words just yet how much this means to our family (but I am sure I will ). Disney, and the magic that surrounds everything Disney, is something that my son and our whole family absolutely loves. There are so many ways Disney has already helped us through his many surgeries and day-to-day battles... I can't imagine a more perfect way for my son's dreams to come true!

I look forward to posting much more about our family, our love of Disney, and our experiences from this point moving forward through the wish granting process!

Welcome! I am new here too. My wish kid just turned 7 this weekend.

Jackie

 

[carebearkidney]

Lilfoot93 - happy birthday to your son! wishing him lots of health and happiness in his lucky 7th year!

 

[LindaBabe]

Hi Wish Trippers! My name is Amber. I just posted a new PTR this morning for my daughter Savannah and wanted to share it will you all here. My son Sebastian who battled Osteoclastoma had his wish to meet Buzz Lighteyear granted in 2008. Savannah, my youngest daughter has Mitochondrial Disease Complex I and III. We are just kicking off with the proceses of having her wish granted through the Make a Wish Foundation. I wanted to invite you to join our adventure over on her PTR. I also look forward to interacting with you on this thread. The friendships I made four years ago through the Wish Trippers Unite earlier volumes and Sebastian's PTR continue to be such a blessing in our life. I's exited to connect on these boards again as we make our Princess' dream come true.

Princess Savannah's Magical Make A Wish Trip

Oh, my gosh AMBER! SO nice to see you back! I'm so sorry your sweet Savannah is in the position of needing a wish trip, but glad to be seeing you on this board again.

I am back!

For those of you guys that have no idea who in the world I am - I am so sorry to have been gone for so long!

My hiatus was not by my choice and is a very long story - but I am back!

I should be back here on a basically daily basis again.

It is going to take me some time to catch up on this thread and find the wish trippers out there that need their stories linked on here!

FEEL FREE to post a link to your threads here and I will try to get to all of them asap!

MAROO! WOO HOO! SO glad you are back and I hope ALL is well with you now. Look forward to seeing you on a regular basis.

(Fairy Grandma, too, has stepped back from this thread because of no Disney trips planned, so therefore nothing to contribute by way of volunteering or postcards.)

Wishing you all a LOVELY day!

 

[Momtokcc]

I am back!

For those of you guys that have no idea who in the world I am - I am so sorry to have been gone for so long!

My hiatus was not by my choice and is a very long story - but I am back!

I should be back here on a basically daily basis again.

It is going to take me some time to catch up on this thread and find the wish trippers out there that need their stories linked on here!

FEEL FREE to post a link to your threads here and I will try to get to all of them asap!

Hi Maroo! I have heard/read so many great things about you! My name is Jenn and we are waiting to find out dates for my son Cade's dates for his wish trip. I have a link to his pre-trip report in my siggy. Nice to finally meet you!!

 

[Lilfoot93]

How do I link my pre trip report to my signature?

Jackie

 

[Haybuggsmom]

Hey everyone!
It's been forever since I've been here and I'm so excited to get all caught up!
A lot has happened since we were last here. Our trip was in September 2010. On December 16 2010 Haylee was admitted into the PICU. She ended up spending 5 weeks there and her doctors thought she had a stroke and we had lost her. But she was ok. She did however end up having to be put into a coma to stop her seizures. Then by the time we got home we had a trach, vent, nurses, millions of meds (to include shots and insulin) and a completely shaken family. We felt like we had taken out trip at the best time. It has taken a lot of work and support but now she has had her trach removed and revised and is on the road to being back to her old self again. We have kept the nursing on for her which opened up something new for me. My husband and I are getting divorced so the big kids and I working hard to figure out how to do it alone. With the nurses now I have started college. I just finished my first semester and am excited to get my nursing degree and be able to take care of the kids on my own.
I am back as I am so very excited to be planning a very special 2 year Wish Trip Anniversary trip with Haylee to celebrate her and her life and how far she has come! I am blessed to have my parents covering everything to give Haylee and I this time out to celebrate! I am going to set up a trip report to share this special anniversary trip. We are just so excited to celebrate that she is able to enjoy her trip again.

 

[maroo]

Hi everyone! My name is Kevin, and I am brand new to posting here. I have been lurking around for a few months, reading lots of posts and soaking up a ton of information, and I thought it was time to introduce myself and my family!

I have an amazing wife of 16 years, Becky, who is the mother of my incredible kids... our 13 year-old daughter Sierra, and our 7 year-old son Braden.

Braden was born with Spina Bifida, and has had many ups and downs in his 7 years. We just found out a few days ago that he was approved for a wish through MAW! I can't put into words just yet how much this means to our family (but I am sure I will ). Disney, and the magic that surrounds everything Disney, is something that my son and our whole family absolutely loves. There are so many ways Disney has already helped us through his many surgeries and day-to-day battles... I can't imagine a more perfect way for my son's dreams to come true!

I look forward to posting much more about our family, our love of Disney, and our experiences from this point moving forward through the wish granting process!

Welcome to the DIS and the Wish Trippers Thread!!! Glad u r here!!

 

[maroo]

Hello...I have heard so much about you from all the time I have spent reading these boards and reading people trip reports! Question for ya...I wondered if you still have the spread sheet that I have read about quite a few times?!?! If so, could you email it to me?

We are traveling in November, and there is a link to my ptr in my siggie! Glad to see you are back

Hi! I plan on being at home this evening and hopefully will have some time to be on the DIS!

Anyone that wants a spreadsheet can send me their dates, ages of kids, park ideas (like how long in each park), what fireworks u plan to see and anything else u can think of and I can put a spreadsheet together for u.



I am so glad to be back!!

 

[GavandGraciesMommy]

Hi! I plan on being at home this evening and hopefully will have some time to be on the DIS!

Anyone that wants a spreadsheet can send me their dates, ages of kids, park ideas (like how long in each park), what fireworks u plan to see and anything else u can think of and I can put a spreadsheet together for u.



I am so glad to be back!!

Hello. I will be sure to get you our dates as soon as they are confirmed. I am completely new to all of this so what is the spreadsheet for? I did the PTR and put it in my signature. I didnt know how to do it exactly so I just copy and pasted the URL.

 

[maroo]

I tried to do this from my iPhone and failed miserably...so I am coming back to respond to everyone!

Well, now I knew there was a reason to check out the Wish Trippers thread after a long hiatus!!! Amber's back and so is Maroo! Amber, I am thrilled for Savannah that she will have her wish granted, but I am well aware of the challenges you face. Hopefully the planning and enjoyment of this trip will brighten everyone's spirits. And Maroo, I know it has been a difficult time and also hope you'll be able to share a little bit more re: outcome but hope that your life is less stressful than it was.

I think I am "new" to almost everyone else here....our son Mark has cerebral palsy and was granted a wish by Starlight Starbright in Canada. Our WDW trip was in November, 2008. We were blessed with a magical stay at GKTW and created beautiful memories together. Having participated in this thread, we were even better prepared to make the most of this amazing experience. But what I was not prepared for is that I made friends here who continue to bring support and friendship. I've only ever met Maroo (and Lauren and her Mom Lisa) in person, but keep in touch with many others.

So good to "see" you both here!
Alison

Hi Alison!! So good to see you! My life is reading less and less like a fiction novel...but hopefully all will calm down completely soon with that much needed resolution. Several of my friends think I need to write a book of the last year of my life...I tell them we will just let John Grisham write it.

Lauren still asks about you from time to time! How is Mark?

So happy to see you here again too Alison. Never could have imagined 4 years ago that all the people who touched our life through the wish process would continue to bless us with their friendship. xoxo

Where is the "Like" button.....

I have spent WAY too much time on Facebook!

Oh...here it is...

Welcome! I am new here too. My wish kid just turned 7 this weekend.

Jackie

Hello!!! So glad to see you!!!

Happy Birthday to your precious child - I need to go find their name!

MAROO! WOO HOO! SO glad you are back and I hope ALL is well with you now. Look forward to seeing you on a regular basis.

(Fairy Grandma, too, has stepped back from this thread because of no Disney trips planned, so therefore nothing to contribute by way of volunteering or postcards.)

Wishing you all a LOVELY day!

Things are finally calming down for me...sorta. Not really. But I can at least come back to the DIS!! I missed it!

Hi Maroo! I have heard/read so many great things about you! My name is Jenn and we are waiting to find out dates for my son Cade's dates for his wish trip. I have a link to his pre-trip report in my siggy. Nice to finally meet you!!

Very nice to meet you!! I will link the pre-trippie tonight! (I hope!!)

How do I link my pre trip report to my signature?

Jackie

I *think*...I think...I may have instructions on the 2nd post on page one of this thread...let me go check...if so, I will post here in a bit...

Here it is!!! How to LINK a Pre-TRIP report in your signature...

If you click on that link - it will take you to instructions that someone did with pictures!

If you have any trouble - you can post here and one of us will be glad to help you!

Hey everyone!
It's been forever since I've been here and I'm so excited to get all caught up!
A lot has happened since we were last here. Our trip was in September 2010. On December 16 2010 Haylee was admitted into the PICU. She ended up spending 5 weeks there and her doctors thought she had a stroke and we had lost her. But she was ok. She did however end up having to be put into a coma to stop her seizures. Then by the time we got home we had a trach, vent, nurses, millions of meds (to include shots and insulin) and a completely shaken family. We felt like we had taken out trip at the best time. It has taken a lot of work and support but now she has had her trach removed and revised and is on the road to being back to her old self again. We have kept the nursing on for her which opened up something new for me. My husband and I are getting divorced so the big kids and I working hard to figure out how to do it alone. With the nurses now I have started college. I just finished my first semester and am excited to get my nursing degree and be able to take care of the kids on my own.
I am back as I am so very excited to be planning a very special 2 year Wish Trip Anniversary trip with Haylee to celebrate her and her life and how far she has come! I am blessed to have my parents covering everything to give Haylee and I this time out to celebrate! I am going to set up a trip report to share this special anniversary trip. We are just so excited to celebrate that she is able to enjoy her trip again.

HI!!! I am so glad to hear that Haylee is doing well. I am so sorry to hear of all of the issues - I hate that I missed all of that!

Lauren had a better trip the 2nd time she went than even the Wish Trip - so hopefully that works for you guys, too!! The experience of already doing it is so helpful!

Hello. I will be sure to get you our dates as soon as they are confirmed. I am completely new to all of this so what is the spreadsheet for? I did the PTR and put it in my signature. I didnt know how to do it exactly so I just copy and pasted the URL.

I make these spreadsheets that help some of the families - I know some find it to be just too much information or too "regimented" to really help them...But I will make them for any wish family.

Basically it is a schedule of sorts that lets you know which days are expected to be the most and least crowded in the parks. TouringPlans.com had given me a membership to share the crowd info with wish families - and I am sure I could get one again (it isn't very expensive anyway)...and I use those to tell you guys what days are "best" for hitting the parks you want to try to hit.

It is very difficult - especially with only 5 full days - to use 6 days worth of tickets, see every fireworks, play at GKTW, eat the special places...etc. etc...in fact, it is IMPOSSIBLE - but many families try and some have used the spreadsheet to provide info of how I would try to do it.

I went to Disney in 2008 with Lauren on a wish trip - then I went back about 12 times in about 3 years... Once with two teenagers who use wheelchairs.
I have also been on a trip with an autistic child and planned that for the family. And I have met dozens of wish families and sort of have taken notes for years on wish trips - so I try to put all of that information in a spreadsheet.

It has been a year since I have made one, though...and I have a Mac computer now - so I gotta buy Excel to be able to do it. But I am going to work on that this weekend!

I am so glad to be back on the DIS!

 

[maroo]

Welcome back Maroo!!

I took a brief (might have been almost or a little over a year?!) break for Disboards, and when I came back... you had taken yourself a bit of a break.

I finally finished Allison's Trip Report. Not sure if you will be putting *FINISHED* next to those reports anymore, but wanted to let you know.

Hope all is well for you and we will keep seeing your so appreciated signature!

Hi!!!!

I should have some time in the next couple of weeks to put *FINISHED* on some of these - I want to link all of the new ones on here first and then go back and take care of that.

I am back!! Last year was surreal...still a little surreal. But I am finally able to come back and hang out here!

I can't wait to read the entire TR!

Ok so I am not real computer savvy. I did a PTR... now how do I put it in my signature line? Thanks for the help

You got it!!! I have the link pulled up and hopefully will get it linked on this thread (page one) tonight!

Welcome abourd Kevin. Glad you found us on here. The folks on here are very nice, and are quick to answer any questions you may have. Even Maroo, who started this very thread awhile ago, answered one of my PM's despite the fact that at the time, she had taken off time from posting here.

Have you guys started leaning towards any specific wish yet? I have a 6 YO, and it was a challenge. Much more easier for my 10 YO.

Hello!

I talked to quite a few people over email - so I am not sure I have put a name with this user name - but welcome to the DIS!!

I am glad to be back!

 

[maroo]

Some Trips to share!!!!!


One of the BEST things about this thread is that we can all support each other as we plan our trips!

I have been gone quite a while - but we have had about 5 - so far - that I have found that have popped up in the last week or so.... so I am going to post all of them here....

You guys go say hello!


Momtokcc (Cade) Wish Trip! MAW/?? Dates TBA - hoping for October

Amber Greenawalt (Savannah) Wish Trip! MAW/?? Dates TBA!!

GavandGraciesMommy (Gavin) Wish Trip! MAW/?? Dates TBA - hoping for Oct 2012

carebearkidney (Matthew) Wish Trip! MAW/?? Dates TBA!!

Lilfoot93 (Trevor) Wish Trip! MAW/?? Dates??


A couple of these have not been seen by many folks yet - so hopefully we can go by and say hello!

 

[Moodyzblu]

Some Trips to share!!!!!


One of the BEST things about this thread is that we can all support each other as we plan our trips!

I have been gone quite a while - but we have had about 5 - so far - that I have found that have popped up in the last week or so.... so I am going to post all of them here....

You guys go say hello!


Momtokcc (Cade) Wish Trip! MAW/?? Dates TBA - hoping for October

Amber Greenawalt (Savannah) Wish Trip! MAW/?? Dates TBA!!

GavandGraciesMommy (Gavin) Wish Trip! MAW/?? Dates TBA - hoping for Oct 2012

carebearkidney (Matthew) Wish Trip! MAW/?? Dates TBA!!

Lilfoot93 (Trevor) Wish Trip! MAW/?? Dates??


A couple of these have not been seen by many folks yet - so hopefully we can go by and say hello!

Gonna go check them all out !

 

[Lilfoot93]

Hello!!! So glad to see you!!!

Happy Birthday to your precious child - I need to go find their name!

Thanks! My wish kiddo is Trevor




I *think*...I think...I may have instructions on the 2nd post on page one of this thread...let me go check...if so, I will post here in a bit...

Here it is!!! How to LINK a Pre-TRIP report in your signature...

If you click on that link - it will take you to instructions that someone did with pictures!

If you have any trouble - you can post here and one of us will be glad to help you!

I think I still need help I have gotten it on my signature but when you hover over it it is just highlighted it doesn't take you anywhere...


I am so glad to be back on the DIS!

Glad you are back! Thanks for the help.

Jackie