Posted by Wishmaster on May 11, 2010
Thanks all who supported the magical evening of Bouquet of Wishes on May 6th! The evening’s highlight was the granting of Kyle’s Wish to go to Hawaii. Attendees had a chance to see a wish come true right before their eyes! Fourteen-year-old Hauppauge resident Kyle, who is faced with Cystic Fibrosis, wishes more than anything to have surfing lessons at the most prime location- Hawaii! To His surprise, The Make-A-Wish Foundation® presented to Kyle and his family their tickets and a full itinerary for their 10 day trip, including a luau and surf lessons in Maui. Kyle was also given his very own surf board! Kyle and his family will leave for Hawaii at the end of June.
Posted by Wishmaster on November 16, 2009
This wish has been granted in the Memory of Duncan Wang.
Twelve-year-old Justin from Lindenhurst can now add “world traveler” to his list of accomplishments! As Justin is challenged with seizure disorder and the inability to verbalize, his mother, Jenny, was very helpful in determining an appropriate and amazing wish experience. Since Jenny’s family is from China, the staff and volunteers at Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Suffolk County, NY, Inc. worked diligently to put together a trip to Hong Kong!
Last June, Justin and his family traveled to the majestic city to explore its many famous sites. Their busy itinerary included a stay at the Disneyland Hotel and a visit to the world-renowned Disneyland parks. Of course, all of Justin’s favorite characters were there to welcome him with open arms! The family stayed at the luxurious Renaissance Kowloon Hotel for the remainder of their time in the city proper. Then, it was off to Chengdu, where Jenny’s family resides. 
During this much-anticipated occasion, two very important milestones were reached: not only was Justin able to meet his great-grandfather for the first time, but he also had the special opportunity to celebrate his 99th birthday! To put a finishing touch on the festivities, Justin’s great-grandfather proudly rode around on his bicycle for everyone to see! As if all of this wasn’t enough positive stimulation for Justin, another family member treated him to an outing to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center. While there, Justin got the chance to hold a panda cub and take pictures with his new little friend. More valuable than any souvenir, Justin brought home beautiful memories to cherish for years to come.
Justin’s magnificent wish was granted in honor and in memory of Duncan K. Wang, a dear friend of Make-A-Wish of Suffolk County. Duncan served as a member of the Board of Directors and became the chapter’s President and CEO in 2000. Even after he decided to move to Singapore, he continued to dedicate his time and talents to the organization’s mission by establishing the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Singapore. Thanks to Duncan’s commitment, the Singapore chapter has fulfilled close to 500 wishes since its inception. Duncan would have been excited about Justin’s wish and happy to know that he had such a fantastic adventure.
Posted by Wishmaster on July 21, 2009
Hi, my name is Steven. I am 17 years old and I’m a junior at St. Anthony’s High School. I am sorry that I cannot be with you tonight as I am currently sick and undergoing surgery. However, here is some information that I hope will tell you at least a little bit about myself and my experience with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I was born with Spina Bifida. This is a disability that prevents me from using my legs. I am also epileptic and have hydrocephalus.
Even with all of my medical conditions my family has always been a source of support and strength. Because of this support system, I felt secure enough to freely explore hobbies and interests that suited my personality and physical abilities. I just knew at the age of six when I started skiing that it was what I wanted to do the rest of my life. I remember clearly my first day skiing clearly. It was at Windham Mountain and I was put into a race through the mountain. My Dad was with me and we were both very nervous and excited! Going down the mountain I experienced emotions I can barely explain. I didn’t feel like I had any limitations at all. My Dad says right from the beginning of that day I was beaming from ear to ear.
I’ve told you that I have no use of my legs and yet my favorite pastime is skiing. How does a person who can’t walk ski? Well they monoski. Monoskiing entails sitting in something called a bucket which is a seat that I am strapped into. The bucket is on a frame that contains a shock and with the whole device sitting on a single ski. Steering is done by using two short outriggers that have mini skis on the end of them.
As I’ve become an older and more experienced skier, I’ve wanted more and more to take a trip out west to ski because I have heard that the skiing and conditions are amazing out there. This wish was something that I thought would never happen until the people of Make-A-Wish became involved.
Dave is a volunteer with Make-A-Wish who helped me make my wish to go to Colorado with my family to ski, become a reality. Dave is a great guy who cared very much about making my wish as great as it could be.
My wish really started before we even hit the slopes. As soon as we landed in Denver International Airport, it all became real. Just seeing the Rocky Mountains was so unbelievable. My family and I spent 5 days skiing at Colorado’s Winter Park Resort. It was warm enough one day that we were able to eat lunch on top of the mountain!
One day there was a blizzard and my Dad and I got stuck up on the top of the mountain! He was pushing me uphill and I thought he was going to have a heart attack but he didn’t which was a big relief. It was another unique memory to look back on. Other great moments were taking a horse drawn sleigh to go eat dinner with real cowboys.
I want to thank everyone here tonight for your support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, because if it weren’t for the kindness and generosity that you showed me and many other children and their families, we wouldn’t be able to have these amazing experiences in our lives. This really was a once in a lifetime experience. This trip really meant so much to me and I’ll never forget the wish that started in me. The people who had the ability to make it happen, and the wonderful memories I now have that will last a lifetime.
Steven’s Words, read at Bouquet of Wishes 2009.
Hi, my name is Steven. I am 17 years old and I’m a junior at St. Anthony’s High School. I am sorry that I cannot be with you tonight as I am currently sick and undergoing surgery. However, here is some information that I hope will tell you at least a little bit about myself and my experience with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I was born with Spina Bifida. This is a disability that prevents me from using my legs. I am also epileptic and have hydrocephalus.
Even with all of my medical conditions my family has always been a source of support and strength. Because of this support system, I felt secure enough to freely explore hobbies and interests that suited my personality and physical abilities. I just knew at the age of six when I started skiing that it was what I wanted to do the rest of my life. I remember clearly my first day skiing clearly. It was at Windham Mountain and I was put into a race through the mountain. My Dad was with me and we were both very nervous and excited! Going down the mountain I experienced emotions I can barely explain. I didn’t feel like I had any limitations at all. My Dad says right from the beginning of that day I was beaming from ear to ear.
I’ve told you that I have no use of my legs and yet my favorite pastime is skiing. How does a person who can’t walk ski? Well they monoski. Monoskiing entails sitting in something called a bucket which is a seat that I am strapped into. The bucket is on a frame that contains a shock and with the whole device sitting on a single ski. Steering is done by using two short outriggers that have mini skis on the end of them.
As I’ve become an older and more experienced skier, I’ve wanted more and more to take a trip out west to ski because I have heard that the skiing and conditions are amazing out there. This wish was something that I thought would never happen until the people of Make-A-Wish became involved.
Dave is a volunteer with Make-A-Wish who helped me make my wish to go to Colorado with my family to ski, become a reality. Dave is a great guy who cared very much about making my wish as great as it could be.
My wish really started before we even hit the slopes. As soon as we landed in Denver International Airport, it all became real. Just seeing the Rocky Mountains was so unbelievable. My family and I spent 5 days skiing at Colorado’s Winter Park Resort. It was warm enough one day that we were able to eat lunch on top of the mountain!
One day there was a blizzard and my Dad and I got stuck up on the top of the mountain! He was pushing me uphill and I thought he was going to have a heart attack but he didn’t which was a big relief. It was another unique memory to look back on. Other great moments were taking a horse drawn sleigh to go eat dinner with real cowboys.
I want to thank everyone here tonight for your support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, because if it weren’t for the kindness and generosity that you showed me and many other children and their families, we wouldn’t be able to have these amazing experiences in our lives. This really was a once in a lifetime experience. This trip really meant so much to me and I’ll never forget the wish that started in me. The people who had the ability to make it happen, and the wonderful memories I now have that will last a lifetime.
