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

[taniabsn]

Hi Everyone.. been lurking for quite a while and just thought I would post. My little guy is Nate. He is 7 years old, has Down Syndrome, had a tracheostomy for 6 months when he was three, was decannulated and diagnosed with leukemia 1 week later. We are almost done with treatment and will be taking our wish trip next year in May. Our wish granters have been great and encouraged us to think beyond what we would normally ask for... think of a great wish for Nate besides just going to Disney. Nate's verbal skils are remedial and he can't say what he would really want so we are responsible for coming up with that wish. So, we came up with riding on a float with Mickey Mouse at WDW. Just got an email saying that his wish wasn't possible. We thought about asking for Nate to be an animal trainer for the day at Seaworld, but they said that would be a double wish through email. I'm waiting for the wish granter to call me. I'm really confused about all this. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, but our wish granters planted this seed to go "over the top" and everything we come up with is squashed. Any advice?? Thanks to everyone.

 

[kritter47]

The ride on a float with Mickey Mouse likely isn't going to be possible because of Disney, if I had to guess. Even for wish kids they sometimes aren't able to do something (and there may be some specific insurance issues about allowing anyone except a Disney employee on that float or any float - all the people who have participated in parades have been in more car-like vehicles from my knowledge).

The animal trainer for a day at Sea World is a double wish - animal trainer for a day is a wish, and a Sea World trip is a wish - that's two specific requests as opposed to one wish with some specifications. If it's an animal trainer for a day wish, it's likely to be a much shorter trip than the typical Disney wish at the closest place with the requested animals (if that's Orlando, it would probably involve non-GKTW accommodations since the wishes are categorized differently).

Thinking big is more about elaborating on the existing wish rather than adding something that could be considered a wish in and of itself. Things that would probably be possible include specific character interaction, meets or meals. Heck, even something like "Be the first person in the park at XXXX" might be possible. But if it's big enough to be considered its own wish or if it's something that an insurance company will have a problem with (and I'm pretty suspicious that's where the parade float wish would get hung up), then those are going to be more problematic.

 

[nesser1981]

Maybe wish to go to Sea World and meet an animal.

Our daughter wanted to go to Disney to meet the princesses. MAW did very little of our planning, they left it all up to me and we had our buttons. They did book her lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table and that was perfect.

 

[Teamtori]

We didn't do anything over the top for my daughter's wish trip, and it still was amazingly over the top. It is such much more than just going to Disney World! I hope they can work something out for you guys!

I have been posting detailed updates on my blog about our recent wish trip. The link is in my signature.

Also, we just came back, so anyone who has questions I will be happy to answer!

 

[Lilfoot93]

Hi Everyone.. been lurking for quite a while and just thought I would post. My little guy is Nate. He is 7 years old, has Down Syndrome, had a tracheostomy for 6 months when he was three, was decannulated and diagnosed with leukemia 1 week later. We are almost done with treatment and will be taking our wish trip next year in May. Our wish granters have been great and encouraged us to think beyond what we would normally ask for... think of a great wish for Nate besides just going to Disney. Nate's verbal skils are remedial and he can't say what he would really want so we are responsible for coming up with that wish. So, we came up with riding on a float with Mickey Mouse at WDW. Just got an email saying that his wish wasn't possible. We thought about asking for Nate to be an animal trainer for the day at Seaworld, but they said that would be a double wish through email. I'm waiting for the wish granter to call me. I'm really confused about all this. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, but our wish granters planted this seed to go "over the top" and everything we come up with is squashed. Any advice?? Thanks to everyone.

Maybe saying he wants to feed the dolphins at Sea World? Or meet a certain character or have lunch with a character?

Trevor asked to be a Jedi during Star Wars Weekend so we will be going to Disneyworld in May.

Can't wait to hear the official wish!

Jackie

 

[carebearkidney]

Welcome to the Wishes page!
Maybe you could ask for a guided tour or to be part of one of the backstage tours the theme parks offer. Just look on the Disney website - go to the 'things to do" and click on the tours and experiences link. Hopefully you can find something that Nate will love to do. Fingers crossed for you!

 

[GavandGraciesMommy]

Hello everyone! I have a rather weird question/ request for those that have been to Disney or are on their way... We are wanting to dress up for the MNSSHP and does anyone know if you can purchase the goofy hat with ears at the Parks and about how much they cost? I need them for my husbands costume because I am really not feeling up to trying to make a hat on top of sewing everything else Thanks to anyone who may know.

 

[Indykjt]

Got some great news... our son's "Wisher's" are coming this Sunday evening! We are so excited to meet them. They are a newly married couple, and the wife has been volunteering with MAW for several years, but this will be her husbands first wish-granting experience.

She was so nice on the phone, and said she lives only a few minutes away from us. She asked about what Braden's wish might be, and I mentioned that we were 99% sure he was wishing for Disney. I also briefly mentioned that if he did wish for that we were hoping to go in mid-October during his fall break, so as to avoid him missing any school. She said she wasn't sure how quickly things would happen. Then, after finishing up our call, she called me back a few minutes later and said she spoke to someone at MAW about our possible date request, and was told it was a perfect time now to request October dates, as they have are currently scheduling September dates!

In keeping with some of the recent above posts, we have been talking with Braden about his wish. He has asked lots of questions about Disney, and one of the things we told him about was MNSSHP. When we were talking about that, he asked if he could go trick or treating at Disney with Jake the pirate! We told him if that's what he wanted to do, that he could wish for that, and we'll see what happens! He put it together in his head, and came up with it on his own after talking about all the things he can do... so I think some kids will come up with that extra bit of wish-specificity (new word?) on their own!

Now, only a few more days of Braden asking "Are my wisher's coming today??? "

 

[Threeboysandachickie]

I just received the call that my wish grantors are coming Tuesday the 14!! This is all happening so fast. My head is spinning. We talked about two possible wishes for Luke, and she is gathering info on both. She is checking out if it is possible to swum with dolphins in Disney. That is his main number one wish. I am so excited to meet the volunteers. They wanted to come this Tuesday, but ds is at camp, so we had to hold them off for a week. Can't wait to find out more details!

 

[carebearkidney]

Hello everyone! I have a rather weird question/ request for those that have been to Disney or are on their way... We are wanting to dress up for the MNSSHP and does anyone know if you can purchase the goofy hat with ears at the Parks and about how much they cost? I need them for my husbands costume because I am really not feeling up to trying to make a hat on top of sewing everything else Thanks to anyone who may know.

I know I've seen the hat and ears at the Polynesian resort, right next to the monorail entrance doors upstairs. I have a picture of Matthew trying them on. he totally rocked it - I'll dig through my pics and see if I can find it and post it for you.

 

[carebearkidney]

Yay for all the wishers and wishes!!! So excited to hear all about it!!!

 

[taniabsn]

I talked to 1/2 of the wish granting team today and we discussed to enthusiasm of the other 1/2 of the wish granting team. It seams that "Sid" gets over excited and suggests that these wishes are over the top. We said that we knew Nate wanted to go to Disney, but he encouraged us to think bigger than that. Michelle (wish granter) said that Sid frequently gets in trouble for promising things that can't be delivered. We are now scaling back our thinking and going with the flow. Thanks for the heads up guys. This group is going to be so helpful.

I know we would really like to go to Discovery Cove and swim with the dolphins, but Mickey is Nate's first love.

Did anyone extend their week to take a few extra things in??? We are bringing our mother in law too... how did that work if anyone else has done that??

 

[lorasmom]

Hey everyone, I posted a blog review of GKTW last week. I kind of came back and went MIA, things have been crazy on my end.

BUT...

Here's the link, if you're interested!

 

[mdfalls]

We got a call from Spencer's wish grantors today! They are coming by next Friday night (the 10th) to bring Spencer's trip package by and have him a small send off party! They will be bringing cake and balloons for him! They should also have our expense check and plane tickets. (and other things he said!) I'm pretty excited and I know Spencer will be over the moon! It's getting closer!!

 

[grfgrl4ever]

My patient is going on a cruise on the Dream in october. Anybody know about the wheelchair accessibility? We were wondering especially about the aquaduck, like how do you get to the beginning, are there stairs or ramps? We can transfer her to the float but just trying to mentally prepare for how we are going to do this. Thanks for any help and any tips ... it is a 4 day cruise.

 

[GavandGraciesMommy]

We got a call from Spencer's wish grantors today! They are coming by next Friday night (the 10th) to bring Spencer's trip package by and have him a small send off party! They will be bringing cake and balloons for him! They should also have our expense check and plane tickets. (and other things he said!) I'm pretty excited and I know Spencer will be over the moon! It's getting closer!!

How fun! Make sure you post pictures when you get back. I cant wait to see

 

[GavandGraciesMommy]

Hey everyone, I posted a blog review of GKTW last week. I kind of came back and went MIA, things have been crazy on my end.

BUT...

Here's the link, if you're interested!

Loved the GKTW report. Makes me even more excited for the trip. Looks like your girls had a wonderful time. So happy for you.

 

[yeti5353]

had to tell you all the most amazing thing that happened to me today. About a year ago a new fitness after 50 franchise opened in our neighborhood. always wanted to join but they dont even share the price openly- and you know if you have to ask you probably cant afford it. I had gotten a survey from them a few weeks ago asking if I had considered joining and why not. I said I would love to join but sure I could not afford it. and I told them it would be great if they gave wish families with parents the right age a short membership to go with travel trips. they called me today and said while they cant do big give aways yet, because they are still in the starting up phase they would give me a 3 month free membership with trainer to help me get ready for Mollys trip! I am super excited to have the chance to get in shape before we go. they have all the cool machines for antique joints like I have and assured me it would make a huge difference for me on the trip. What is extra cool about this is wish girl really wanted each of us to have something special and she is thrilled that I get this gym membership as part of her wish. (also helps keep me from having to think of something special for me that she can pull off). Pretty much no one else is excited for me but I knew you guys would be!

 

[carebearkidney]

We got a call from Spencer's wish grantors today! They are coming by next Friday night (the 10th) to bring Spencer's trip package by and have him a small send off party! They will be bringing cake and balloons for him! They should also have our expense check and plane tickets. (and other things he said!) I'm pretty excited and I know Spencer will be over the moon! It's getting closer!!

So exciting!! yes, pictures, pictures, pictures!!

 

[carebearkidney]

yeti5353 - how awesome! it's great to see kind people are still around nowadays. Have fun getting in shape! You'll be power-walking the World in no time!