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.

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.

Seven-year-old Lexy from Dix Hills doesn’t need someone to tell her how to get to Sesame Street – she already knows where it is! On a beautiful day last December, Lexy, who is challenged with Angelman Syndrome, and her family were taken by limousine to Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, where the beloved children’s television show Sesame Street is taped. With the help of the hard-working staff at Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Suffolk County, NY, Inc. and Lexy’s wish granters, she was on her way “to where the air is sweet!” 

Upon Lexy’s arrival at the studio, a group of guides brought her and her family backstage where they encountered several crew members and one of the show’s producers. Lexy’s mom, Robin, said they were all very emotional when they met Lexy and were ecstatic to have her visit the set. They were given the opportunity to walk inside Hooper’s Store, and to see Big Bird’s nest and Oscar the Grouch’s “home, sweet home” – his garbage can. There was somebody else, of the furry variety, anxiously waiting to meet Lexy on the set. It was none other than her favorite Sesame Street character of all time – Elmo! Lexy was very excited to see herself on the television monitors as she was being taped interacting with the loveable Muppet during a skit. Elmo, who introduced Lexy as his friend, sang to her and presented the skit as “Lexy’s World” instead of “Elmo’s World.” Additionally, she was given a copy of the skit to take home with her as a very special souvenir!  Afterwards, she was invited to watch a live taping of the show. To Lexy’s amazement, some of the other delightful characters, like Bert, Ernie, Telly, and Abby Cadabby, were featured in the episode they were viewing. Not only was Lexy entertained by these characters performing their roles in the episode, but also during practice takes, when it was time to joke around (a defining characteristic of a Muppet personality!)

As Lexy left the studio she was given wonderful gifts, including a bag filled with Sesame Street goodies and the take board from her skit with Elmo. The eventful day continued with a trip to see the phenomenal Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the incomparable toy store, FAO Schwarz. After a dinner out, Lexy and her family headed home with magical memories and smiles that would make the Sesame Street gang proud!

Seventeen-year-old Christina from Bay Shore has a passion for history. When her wish granters asked what she wanted to do more than anything in the world, a certain place came to mind. Her interest in British culture made a huge impact on her decision to visit the beautiful land where the famed William Wallace became a fierce leader of the resistance to English rule. 

On August 1st, 2008, Christina, her parents, eleven-year-old brother and thirteen-year-old sister boarded a plane to London. They spent four days exploring the many tourist sites and other fascinating places off the beaten path. One of Christina’s favorite spots was the Tower of London, where she and her family were given a private tour by two different yeomen warders, or “beefeaters.” The beefeaters explained the history behind each gate and room, including the one that holds the exquisite Crown Jewels. At the end of the tour, they presented Christina with a special journal, in which they wrote their well wishes. She also had the chance to visit the exciting London Eye and the grandiose Buckingham Palace. In addition, after having done research on her own, Christina located the famous Camden Market, where she did some much anticipated shopping! The crowded streets of London never intimidated Christina, who described the bustling capital as being like “New York City, on a good day!” 

They then traveled by train to Scotland’s charming capital city of Edinburgh. Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County’s Wish Coordinator, Johan Staley, who is from Edinburgh, had a wonderful time planning Christina’s activities in her home city. One of these activities, and a highlight for Christina, was a ghost and witchery tour that was given on the historic Royal Mile near Edinburgh Castle. After two days in the capital, Johan then arranged for the family to pick up a rental car to drive to the town of Stirling, where they took a private tour of William Wallace’s monument. Christina’s tour guide allowed her to hold a replica of William Wallace’s sword – an extremely rare opportunity for any visitor. During their overnight stay at Airth Castle, Christina’s mom, Dorothy, got in the “spirit” by pretending to be a ghost while her children took pictures of her creeping through the halls! The next leg of the trip was a scenic drive north to the Highlands of Scotland in Inverness. While there, the family took a boat tour of renowned Loch Ness (no monster to be found!) and a jeep excursion around the countryside of Urquhart Castle. Their amazing vacation ended with a train ride back to London for the flight home.

Dorothy summed up the journey by saying, “Words cannot express how much was done for us…we felt very special.” Christina loved every moment, even the cab rides: “The Scottish taxi drivers were happy to talk to me…they were so funny!” From William Wallace’s story to present-day British culture and beyond, Christina’s wish was boundless in incredible memories.