Make a Wish (and other organizations) - Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume THREE! :)

[yinyanggirls]

Maroo, thanks for sharing that with us! Please tell Lauren that I have tears in my eyes, I'm so proud of her! When an extra opportunity is presented to these kids who often have to sit on the sidelines, it makes me so happy! And she totally earned it! Way to go!!!

 

[pacrosby]

Hey does anyone know if the paving stone you can purchase from GKTW is intended to be in memory of an angel or do some purchase them as a tribute to their living Wish child? I'm sure this is more likely to be able to be answered from someone who's already gone on their trip. We've been thinking of getting one in honor of Matty's trip but not sure if it's appropriate.

 

[pacrosby]

Ok kids..........

After some serious consideration I've decided to take on a project here on the Disboards. Our way of giving back. Many here already know me and my gingerbread boy and how our MAW trip was alittle different. How I pursued Matty's wish not to break from the ongoing trials and tribulations of our medical journey; not as a long awaited and much deserved family vacation; but rather as a celebration of where we stand today - Matty's current state of good health.

Our trip WAS wonderful, beyond our wildest dreams, and we are very thankful for MAW and GKTW and of course the many folks I've met here on the boards. Now that our trip is over (and the neverending TR is 'close' to being done) we've been discussing how we would give back (always our intention). To give back to MAW we are pursuing volunteer positions as Wish Granters and looking towards ways to get involved with fundraising. To give back to GKTW we have planned a return trip this coming December when we will volunteer at the village and present them with a load of 'goodies' from a town-wide donation effort (we're hoping to make this an annual trip). And then there's the question of the Disboards. Hmmmmmmm. How to give back here.

So here's my thoughts. The Big Give is a wonderful thing. A wonderful group of ladies and gentlemen who bring alittle extra love and support and pixie dust to many families going on their Wish trips. But not every family is able to be a recipient of the Big Give. Just not enough time; not enough man-power. For a variety of reasons, many families are not able to experience the magic of a little extra pixie dust. So this is what I would like to do. For any/all families who do not get chosen I would like to start a Mini-Give. While custom clothing could certainly not be a part of the package, lots of other fun goodies certainly could. In addition I would like to include a little something from the GKTW store (right now I'm thinking hats - baseball or bucket depending on age/gender). This would also benefit GKTW as proceeds from the purchase of goods from their store go directly to the Village. My husband and I are perfectly happy taking this on on our own HOWEVER if there is anyone who would like to get involved I would certainly welcome your thoughts/ideas/assistance.

Just wanted to throw it out there. I've been dying to 'help' since we got back but more often than not I find our circumstances and, as a result, our perspective on things to be so very different than most other Wish Trippers. Finally, an opportunity to be truly productive

Respond here or pm me if you'd like.

Thanx

 

[teresajoy]

Hey guys!

I have a very exciting announcement that has nothing to do with DISNEY - except that we plan to CELEBRATE this in Disney!!!



Lauren ran for "Executive" Vice President - which is basically the Vice President of the Student Body - at her high school this week.

Lauren goes to a large High School of over 1,500 students in grades 10 - 12.

She ran against two of the most popular and well-known students in the High School. But neither of the students really did very many posters - I think they thought they had it in the bag.


But Lauren had us (her Mom, Dad and I) making posters for her last week and when we didn't make enough of them (life is really busy), she decided to make stickers and bought a banner with her own money....

And


SHE WON!!!!!!!!!


We are so proud of her!!!

And I knew her "followers" on the DIS would want to know.


*I posted this in about 4 places...so sorry if it is a repeat!*

YAY Lauren!!!!! That is wonderful news!

I think the only way to do it is to load on photobucket or another photo hosting site.

It is password protected, but someone can click the picture to get to the folder of pictures without a password - so you will only want to load the ones that you want people in general to have access to.

You don't have to post pics if you don't feel comfortable, though. But we do love them.

I don't think you can view other pictures in the album when the album is set to private.

Hey does anyone know if the paving stone you can purchase from GKTW is intended to be in memory of an angel or do some purchase them as a tribute to their living Wish child? I'm sure this is more likely to be able to be answered from someone who's already gone on their trip. We've been thinking of getting one in honor of Matty's trip but not sure if it's appropriate.

I know you can't add two dates on the stone, and we Disboutiquers bought a stone, so I think it's something that people do.

 

[tinytreasures]

Hey does anyone know if the paving stone you can purchase from GKTW is intended to be in memory of an angel or do some purchase them as a tribute to their living Wish child? I'm sure this is more likely to be able to be answered from someone who's already gone on their trip. We've been thinking of getting one in honor of Matty's trip but not sure if it's appropriate.

We bought one when we were down there it has Jason's name and m/yr of his trip


Congrats Lauren

 

[TTomlinson]

Now that we have our dates I'm going to try to make at least one ADR for Tyler's bday with Pooh and Friends at Crystal Palace. Any recommendations on what time of day is best? I've seen mixed results from the reviews I've read. We are planning on going to MK the first day after we arrive and I don't think we want to try to make an early breakfast that day since we will have orientation, etc... I was thinking of trying to snag a lunch or dinner spot. Just wondering what has worked well for others?

I don't want to double post this, but if you get a chance, peek at our PTR and read what Ridemakerz is planning for my boys. They are going to be one of the highlights I think of at least the older boys' trip. I am still kind of in shock!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

CONGRATS LAUREN!!!!!!!!!

 

[that's nice]

Now that we have our dates I'm going to try to make at least one ADR for Tyler's bday with Pooh and Friends at Crystal Palace. Any recommendations on what time of day is best? I've seen mixed results from the reviews I've read. We are planning on going to MK the first day after we arrive and I don't think we want to try to make an early breakfast that day since we will have orientation, etc... I was thinking of trying to snag a lunch or dinner spot. Just wondering what has worked well for others?

Lunch is usually $10 cheaper with basically the same menu as dinner. If you wanted to make your money go further that's the way to go! Or you can eat a small lunch and have an early dinner. We ate at 5 last time and it worked out great. I would plan on your meal taking 1 1/2 hours. If you get out early, better for you.

 

[Wee Annie]

Hi all!

About to go on Elke's wish trip (not packed at all yet..), and wondering if anyone can steer me toward which hospital near WDW/GKTW is best for pediatric oncology patients. I guess I'm hoping that someone with a cancer child or a child with similar needs researched this before they went and will chime in. I'm looking for the ER that is most comfortable with patients that require immediate isolation from the general population, and the one which is most adept at accessing ports.

Thanks!

 

[maroo]

YEAH Lauren!!!!!!!!

WAY TO GO LAUREN!! I am so very happy for you!!!

You should be proud of her! Tell her congratulations!


Lynn

Congrats Lauren!!! That is AWESOME!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!

WTG Lauren!!

Congraulations Lauren!

Yeah for Lauren!!!!!!

Maroo, thanks for sharing that with us! Please tell Lauren that I have tears in my eyes, I'm so proud of her! When an extra opportunity is presented to these kids who often have to sit on the sidelines, it makes me so happy! And she totally earned it! Way to go!!!

YAY Lauren!!!!! That is wonderful news!

Congrats Lauren

CONGRATS LAUREN!!!!!!!!!

Thank you all so much for the congratulations!!!

I showed these to Lauren last night and she was so excited! We ended up taking her out to eat, which is something they very rarely do at their house, so it was really nice!!

Thank you all so much for your support of Lauren over these past years.

I will update my pre-trip report a bit later with some recent pics and more news from the recent events in her life - all good news!

 

[jen-y]

Here is a WWYD question. GKTW/MAW will give us a 3 day Disney hopper, and we would like to go to the parks for more than 3 days.
Then we will need to buy an extra couple days worth of tickets. I know its cheaper to add to an existing hopper than to buy tickets by the day.
Can we add on to the hopper they give us when we get there? or how does that work?

 

[cajunfan]

So here's my thoughts. The Big Give is a wonderful thing. A wonderful group of ladies and gentlemen who bring alittle extra love and support and pixie dust to many families going on their Wish trips. But not every family is a recipient of the Big Give. For a variety of reasons many families are left out. So this is what I would like to do. For any/all families who do not get chosen I would like to start a Mini-Give. While custom clothing could certainly not be a part of the package, lots of other fun goodies certainly could. In addition I would like to include a little something from the GKTW store (right now I'm thinking hats - baseball or bucket depending on age/gender). This would also benefit GKTW as proceeds from the purchase of goods from their store go directly to the Village. My husband and I are perfectly happy taking this on on our own HOWEVER if there is anyone who would like to get involved I would certainly welcome your thoughts/ideas/assistance.

Respond here or pm me if you'd like.

Thanx

Pamela,

Please pm me when you start organizing this. I usually have a stash of "pixie dust" at the house, so I can try and help with this.

Lynn

 

[livndisney]

Please remember Shardai and Mya today. Mya's service is today and I know Shardai needs all the good thoughts and prayers she can get.

 

[pnutallergymom]

Ok kids..........

After some serious consideration I've decided to take on a project here on the Disboards. Our way of giving back. Many here already know me and my gingerbread boy and how our MAW trip was alittle different. How I pursued Matty's wish not to break from the ongoing trials and tribulations of our medical journey; not as a long awaited and much deserved family vacation; but rather as a celebration of where we stand today - Matty's current state of good health.

Our trip WAS wonderful, beyond our wildest dreams, and we are very thankful for MAW and GKTW and of course the many folks I've met here on the boards. Now that our trip is over (and the neverending TR is 'close' to being done) we've been discussing how we would give back (always our intention). To give back to MAW we are pursuing volunteer positions as Wish Granters and looking towards ways to get involved with fundraising. To give back to GKTW we have planned a return trip this coming December when we will volunteer at the village and present them with a load of 'goodies' from a town-wide donation effort (we're hoping to make this an annual trip). And then there's the question of the Disboards. Hmmmmmmm. How to give back here.

So here's my thoughts. The Big Give is a wonderful thing. A wonderful group of ladies and gentlemen who bring alittle extra love and support and pixie dust to many families going on their Wish trips. But not every family is a recipient of the Big Give. For a variety of reasons many families are left out. So this is what I would like to do. For any/all families who do not get chosen I would like to start a Mini-Give. While custom clothing could certainly not be a part of the package, lots of other fun goodies certainly could. In addition I would like to include a little something from the GKTW store (right now I'm thinking hats - baseball or bucket depending on age/gender). This would also benefit GKTW as proceeds from the purchase of goods from their store go directly to the Village. My husband and I are perfectly happy taking this on on our own HOWEVER if there is anyone who would like to get involved I would certainly welcome your thoughts/ideas/assistance.

Just wanted to throw it out there. I've been dying to 'help' since we got back but more often than not I find our circumstances and, as a result, our perspective on things to be so very different than most other Wish Trippers. Finally, an opportunity to be truly productive

Respond here or pm me if you'd like.

Thanx

Hi Pamela,

That is so nice. I think their would be many families who would be very appreciative. I totally agree with you when you have said that a MAW trip should be more than just a family vacation. There should be lots of magic. This would be a wonderful thing for others who haven't had any "pixie dust"!!

Let me know how I can help.

 

[maroo]

Hi all!

About to go on Elke's wish trip (not packed at all yet..), and wondering if anyone can steer me toward which hospital near WDW/GKTW is best for pediatric oncology patients. I guess I'm hoping that someone with a cancer child or a child with similar needs researched this before they went and will chime in. I'm looking for the ER that is most comfortable with patients that require immediate isolation from the general population, and the one which is most adept at accessing ports.

Thanks!

We went to Celebration Hospital when Lauren got sick.

She is not a cancer patient, but she has several medically complex things (baclofen pump, compromised breathing, etc) that they had to take into account when treating her.

We had a great experience there.

They said they get a "lot" of MAW children there and had a stuffed animal for Lauren.

We had issues with Lauren's insurance not wanting to pay, but the care was top notch.

The "Bunny Book" you get when you check in has lots of phone numbers to call in case of any medical needs including doctors that will treat MAW children at no charge - our situation was just emergent and it was the middle of the night, so we ended up at Celebration. GKTW was great help during the whole thing.

 

[maroo]

Here is a WWYD question. GKTW/MAW will give us a 3 day Disney hopper, and we would like to go to the parks for more than 3 days.
Then we will need to buy an extra couple days worth of tickets. I know its cheaper to add to an existing hopper than to buy tickets by the day.
Can we add on to the hopper they give us when we get there? or how does that work?

You actually can't...unfortunately...

Basically the tickets you get are considered "COMP" tickets and can't be added to at all.

So...very unfortunately... you would have to purchase a full one day ticket (or more) for each member of your family.

It is pretty expensive - at $79 per adult and I am not sure for children - and it is an extra $52 per ticket to get the PH option added to it.

Probably not what you wanted to hear.

One option is to go all the way and purchas an Annual Pass or a Non-Expiring Park Hopper (which is more expensive, obviously) but you could use if you plan to come back - (AP if you plan to come back within the year and non-expiring if you plan to come back in a few years). That would give you the investment so that when you do come back you would not have to pay that hefty "first day" ticket again...they would all be at the "subsequent" day price. But that only works if you think you are going to be able to get back.

We knew we had to come back as soon as the trip started...so this is what we would have done.

 

[Wee Annie]

We went to Celebration Hospital when Lauren got sick.

She is not a cancer patient, but she has several medically complex things (baclofen pump, compromised breathing, etc) that they had to take into account when treating her.

We had a great experience there.

They said they get a "lot" of MAW children there and had a stuffed animal for Lauren.

We had issues with Lauren's insurance not wanting to pay, but the care was top notch.

The "Bunny Book" you get when you check in has lots of phone numbers to call in case of any medical needs including doctors that will treat MAW children at no charge - our situation was just emergent and it was the middle of the night, so we ended up at Celebration. GKTW was great help during the whole thing.

Thanks, Maroo! You're very helpful, as usual!

I posted the same question on a cancer parent's forum I'm involved with, and for any other cancer parents out there, the reply I got from a member who lives in Fla. and has been to WDW was that Arnold Palmer's Children's Hospital is the only one that has a dedicated peds hem onc department. Anyone out there with different info pls feel free to correct this if it's wrong. I'm glad to know Celebration can also handle complex cases too, though!

And Maroo, what wonderful, heartwarming news re Lauren! So happy for her!

 

[maroo]

Thanks, Maroo! You're very helpful, as usual!

I posted the same question on a cancer parent's forum I'm involved with, and for any other cancer parents out there, the reply I got from a member who lives in Fla. and has been to WDW was that Arnold Palmer's Children's Hospital is the only one that has a dedicated peds hem onc department. Anyone out there with different info pls feel free to correct this if it's wrong. I'm glad to know Celebration can also handle complex cases too, though!

And Maroo, what wonderful, heartwarming news re Lauren! So happy for her!

That is MUCH better info!

Where is the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital? Maybe we could get info about it to post here on the 2nd post? It seems like a Children's Hospital may be a much better advice?

It sounds like that may be the place to go?

We are very happy for her, too! She is so excited and I know she will do a great job as VP, too!

 

[pnutallergymom]

We also have been told to go to Arnold Palmer for Brigitte if we have issues. They are connected with Miami Children's and The Heart Institute....alot of her Boston doctors have working relationships with the team there. Our General Surgeon also makes contact with a few of the docs there in case Brigitte has any issues....they have all of her info. at their fingertips if need be.

 

[maroo]

We also have been told to go to Arnold Palmer for Brigitte if we have issues. They are connected with Miami Children's and The Heart Institute....alot of her Boston doctors have working relationships with the team there. Our General Surgeon also makes contact with a few of the docs there in case Brigitte has any issues....they have all of her info. at their fingertips if need be.

That is awesome!!

Hopefully the info about this hospital is also in the Bunny Book so that they have the phone numbers and address in case of an emergency, too.

This is great information.