Thank You "Disney Angel in Disguise," Upgrade For Nate and His Family!!!

[4cruisin]

Christina (Nate's mom),

The biggest problem I have with the refusal of your request by MAW was their response that Nate could not say thank you if they in fact had granted his wish. How absurd is that? Obviously that particular office has lost sight of their mission. I understand that MAW cannot grant every wish or request for help but to give that as the reason dumbfounds me

Thank God for the "hidden angels" on this board. May God keep smiling on you and your family.

Nancy


Andy (Verandah Man)....You ARE the BEST

 

[Verandah Man]

I was listening to my work car radio this morning as I was on my way home for lunch and the song "We Are Family" was playing. As I was driving down the road, I started to sing along to the song, but I made one change in the words, here is what I was singing, "We are family, I've got all my DIS'ers with me." With those few simple words, I started choking up, thinking of all you MAGICal and WONDERful people. I checked my e-mail when I got in and have a note from Nate's mom that I am attaching below. I'm also going to attach this message to the other thread as well.



Andy,
I was in the same boat. I finally got to bed around 1 and then one of the our dogs woke me up early and I couldn't not go back to sleep. My mind in on over-load.
Y'all are going to have to stop all of this. We are overwhelmed! The thoughtfulness and kind words from everyone has been more than enough. Please express to everyone how generous it is, but that we have gotten the hotel already. Even if we hadn't, I wouldn't hear of letting y'all do that. It has never been our intentions to try and solicit handouts. And I just can't say enough times that it's the wonderful feeling that we have gotten from all of you that is worth the most. The cabin upgrade is an incredible surprise and we are so very thankful for it. We could not have done that on our own, but please don't think we are needy. There are others who need things more than we do. Besides as I sit here right now, thinking of all that has happened the past few days, I feel like I am the wealthiest person in the world. And this is the sort of wealth that you never lose.

Chris

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

You are right and I had meant to add my thoughts about MAW. My story was not an endorsement of MAW because their rejection of Nate and their reasoning makes me concerned about their true Mission. My story was meant to share that we met a GREAT family who's strength and spirit were an inspiration to all who know them. I am sure you and your family are the same. I respect the grace and courage you have and I am always in awe of how families faced with such challenges hold together with the determination that reminds us all how precious life is.

When I initially read the thread I was shocked to read that precious Nate had been turned down because he could not thank them. A thank you is not necessary, Nate's smile and your families memory of a wonderful family vacation is all MAW should need for a thank you!

I will contact Wishing Well and intend to change the monthly donations we make to MAW to a program like Wishing Well. It is an eye opener to hear the behind the scences story of how they operated in Nate's case and their criteria. I for one was not well informed.

Please know my intention of telling about the MAW sponsored family on my cruise was to share the families excitement of boarding that ship first and through out the cruise talking with them and watching shows with them and spending time with them. They had a awesome time just like your family will. I was inspired by them and think of them all of the time.

I know you and your family will have a Magical cruise and I wish you the best. Thank you for sharing your situation with us and informing us about wonderful organizations like Wishing Well!

Tiff

 

[pagehouse]

It's people like you that made that trip really special for that family! Unless you have a child that is "different" you just can not understand how nice and refreshing it is when people treat you normal! We have gotten so used to people looking and pointing that it seems like we are blind to it now. It's plain to see that there is something (god forgive me for saying this) "wrong" with Nate, but the really special people just treat us like anyone else and not like a circus side show. You treated that family like regular people and I know how much they must have enjoyed it.
I'm certain God must have been smiling down on you then...and now!

 

[disney6]

I did a search on the internet for Wishing Well. I found Wishing Well USA and also The Wishing Well Foundation. These both grant wished to terminally ill children. Could you please let us know which organization is helping Nate? Or how a donation can be made to this great foundation? Thank you.

 

[abitjaded]

There are angels everywhere, and pixies, too. Have a great trip Christina and all! Thanks to the angel and the pixies for making MY day, too. :

 

[allshookup]

What a wonderful story! When you see and hear so many horror stories on the news about terrible people, it's nice to come here and read such heartwarming and kind words and actions from some great fellow dis'ers.

 

[pagehouse]

The website address for them is wishingwellusa.org. They are in Metairie, La. Their phone number is 1-888-663-9474. They have been granting wishes for about 5 years I think. They will grant a wish to any child with a terminal illness. Nathan is the first cruise trip they have granted. At first they told us a 4 day cruise and we were jumping all around and so excited. Then Robin at the Wishing Well called back and said they changed it and we were going on a 7 day cruise. They said they changed it because they wanted the very best for Nate. I almost had to kick start my heart!

 

[pagehouse]

O.k. y'all, are you ready for this?! We just got our new cabin information and we are now...........dum dum dum....on deck 7, cat. 5 rooms 7080 and 7082!! I am having a horrible time trying to pick my jaw up off the floor. I called my Mom and she started crying and said please make sure you tell the people on the forum how much this means to us. She was crying so hard I thought she was going to have to leave work! She kept saying, "I just don't believe it. I just don't believe it. These people don't even know us!" I think that about sums it up for our whole family!
I have to go and call the rest of our family...they just wont believe it!!!!

 

[figment52]

WOW - Take a couple days away from the boards and you sure miss mountains.

DAID - you have certainly madde Disney the Happiest place on Earth whether it be on land or at sea for this family.

May the Page family have Magical trip. Your friends on this board wish you a memorable experience. We will all have tissues ready as we read your trip report.

God Bless

 

[DreaminDisney]

Originally posted by pagehouse
O.k. y'all, are you ready for this?! We just got our new cabin information and we are now...........dum dum dum....on deck 7, cat. 5 rooms 7080 and 7082!! I am having a horrible time trying to pick my jaw up off the floor. I called my Mom and she started crying and said please make sure you tell the people on the forum how much this means to us. She was crying so hard I thought she was going to have to leave work! She kept saying, "I just don't believe it. I just don't believe it. These people don't even know us!" I think that about sums it up for our whole family!
I have to go and call the rest of our family...they just wont believe it!!!!

Wonderful!!
My 3 year old wants to know why I'm crying.... I'm happy for you. Have a Magical time!!
God Bless!

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

No we are not special, Nate and your family are. Meeting people like you give all of us the needed kick in the bootie to rise to the challenge to be better people. I can not imagine staring or being rude to such a beautiful little boy. He is the special one and I am sure Disney will treat him that way.

Thank you for letting us know about Wishing Well out of L.A. They get my vote and they are giving you all this gift which is well deserved. Thanks also go out to the Disney Angel who gave the wonderful gift of the Category 5 cabins which will add pixie dust to your cruise.

Have a wonderful cruise

 

[disney6]

on deck 7, cat. 5 rooms 7080 and 7082!!

That's great! Those are connecting cabins to boot! You will LOVE having the door between the cabins. The steward can prop them open which will turn them into a suite! This way the kids can have "their room" and you can have yours yet all be together! We are so happy for you!

Thank you for the information on Wishing Well USA.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

thank you Disney Angel in Disguise

Have a MAGICal cruise - create lots of memories

 

[abitjaded]

Just talked to Shirley at the Perfect Gift, thinking I'd send something to the family via her. She thinks contacting DCL with a ship board credit is better. So, to reiterate the number 1-800-601-8455.

 

[AnnMorin]

That is such wonderful news I am so delighted for your family.
I originally was going to help get you the Hyatt at the airport for the night before your cruise. After reading your note to Andy I will respect your wishes and donate that sum to the Wishing Well USA organization. Possibly if they get enough donations then all children who wish for a Disney Cruise will be granted a veranda from the get go. Thank you for opening my eyes to this great organization, it would be such a magical thing if they became inindated with donations because of your story. Enjoy your cruise and have a magical time!

 

[Verandah Man]

Eric, Chris, Nick, Nate, Nash, and Grandmom,

Congratulations on the category 5 staterooms, they aren't to far from the staterooms that we received in our surprise upgrade. We will be in cabins 7116 and 7118, I'll be sure to send you some photos of the inside of the cabin and the verandah when we return. This way, you can show "Verandah Boy" what his cabin is going to look like.

God Bless!!!

 

[gdulaney]

Originally posted by BethC1952
It's amazing what kind of power a group of people united for a common, good cause, can command through prayer and faith.*
Beth

*Now, if we could get a few more friends together and work on world peace....

If the outpouring of love, kindness, and empathy shown on this board is any indication of what could be.... just think what that would be like!!!

Nate - I hope that you, your brothers and your parents have a truly magical vacation! Watch out for Minnie Mouse, she likes to hug all the cute guys!!!

Ginny

 

[videoman]

When my husband and I joined this board, we did so with the main purpose of finding out tips for our trip...Never did I imagine it would also touch our hearts and remind us to thank God for every day! God Bless and thanx to all the angels out there!!

 

[eye R.N.]

May many blessing be yours.