Prior to her diagnosis, Ta’Kiyah used to complain about having headaches. She was taken to the hospital by her Aunt Cherie, and doctors discovered a malignant tumor on her brain. Ta’Kiyah spent about seven months in the hospital, and underwent chemotherapy to treat the tumor. She is currently in remission.

When a friend at the City Council of Dover told Cherie about Kids Wish Network, a nationally recognized non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses, Cherie was excited about the prospect of having a wish granted for her niece. Together with the help of Wish Coordinator Madeline, Wish Funding Specialist Megan, and some very special sponsors, Ta’Kiyah was on her way to the nation’s capital. A limo ride, hotel stay at the beautiful Hotel Adams—where President Obama stayed prior to the inauguration—dinner at the Hard Rock Café, a trip to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and a trip to southern style restaurant Georgia Brown’s were also included in Ta’Kiyah’s wish.

“Kids Wish Network is a great place,” said Cherie. “They did all they could to make Ta’Kiyah’s wish come true.”

Ta’Kiyah wanted to visit President Obama, because she wanted to ask him how it feels to be living in the White House; but her nerves got the best of her.

“I kept covering my eyes. I wasn’t crying. My eyes were just watery that day,” she said.

Cherie said that Ta’Kiyah was so nervous when she saw President Obama, but he told her, “Ta’Kiyah, you can take your hands off your eyes. It’s going to be OK.”

“When he told her it was going to be OK, she calmed down a little, little bit,” Cherie said. “He took the time to embrace her.”

Ta’Kiyah said her favorite part of the whole trip was shaking President Obama’s hand and dinner at the Hard Rock Café where she was made into a rock star. She also brought a scrapbook to show the president, with photos, special certificates and her report card.

“I was very impressed. He really took his time and looked at every picture and asked her what each picture represented,” said Cherie. “Thumbs up to everybody who made this possible for Ta’Kiyah.”

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Ta’Kiyah’s wish come true: Dover Masonic Lodge, Open Arms Baptist Church, People’s United Church of Dover, The White House and President Obama, Hay Adams Hotel, Hard Rock Café, Camelot Limousine Services, Georgia Brown’s, Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the National Park service.

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. Aside from granting wishes, Kids Wish Network also has several other programs which benefit children’s care facilities. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit us at http://www.kidswishnetwork.org

Wow!

Imagine being 12-years-old and having a private audience with the President of the United States.  That is exactly what happened to Ta’Kiyah, a sweet little girl from Dover, DE.  Ta’Kiyah’s presidential wish was granted by Kids Wish Network.   

Ta’Kiyah was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and has endured months of hospital stays, chemotherapy and doctor visits. 

Her wish started off in style as she was picked up at her home in Dover in a limousine courtesy of Camelot Limousine Service and driven to Washington D.C. where she was welcomed by the attentive staff at the 5-star Hay Adams Hotel.  She loved how the staff greeted her by name every day and the surprises that they would leave in her room each night.  She was thrilled when she learned that this was the same hotel that the Obama family stayed in prior to the inauguration.

That night she was made an “official rock star” at the Hard Rock Cafe.  She was mesmerized by all of the memorabilia and the D.J. played all of her favorite music. 

The next day was fraught with emotions.  Ta’Kiyah was nervous as she headed over to the White House.  As she waited in the Oval Office Lobby, her emotions began to get the best of her.  Finally, the time had come.  She stood, covering her eyes and trepiditiously made her way around the corner.  President Obama stood there waiting for her but Ta’Kiyah’s feet wouldn’t move!  President Obama kindly told her to uncover her eyes and approach him.  “Ta’kiyah, put your hands down, it’s going to be ok”, he coaxed.  Slowly, she approached him and he shook her hand and then warmly embraced her, telling her there was nothing to be nervous about. 

He took her into his office as Ta’Kiyah’s aunt looked on with tears in her eyes as well.  Ta’Kiyah shared her scrapbook filled with personal pictures and mementos.  President Obama was impressed with the numerous scholastic accolades that Ta’Kiyah had received and with her personal struggles with cancer.  He gave her a beautiful Presidential coin and Ta’Kiyah reciprocated with a Kids Wish Network Guardian Angel Coin. 

Later, Ta’Kiyah beamed with happiness about her experience. She said it was the best day of her life and, “That I wasn’t crying, my eyes were just watery that day!” 

Madeline