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.