Alpena, Mich. – A 7-year-old girl from Alpena had her wish granted to swim with dolphins thanks to the help of national charity Kids Wish Network.

Before her first birthday, Mariah was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and epilepsy. She has seizures on a daily basis, and relies on a walker or a wheelchair for mobility. Doctors are considering putting a pace maker into her chest to help control the frequency of her seizures.

When a professional fundraiser contacted Mariah’s mother Laurie and told her about Kids Wish Network and asked her if she knew of any children with life threatening illnesses, Laurie decided to refer her daughter. Together with the help of Wish Coordinator Vanessa and Wish Funding Specialist Megan, Mariah was soon on her way to Florida to see her wish come true.

Mariah’s swim took place at Theatre of the Sea in the Florida Keys. Laurie said that Mariah was so excited to be able to swim with the dolphins.

“She would rather be in the water than anywhere else,” said Laurie. “Watching Mariah with the dolphins and seeing how much she liked it was wonderful.”

Aside from setting up the family’s flight and swim, Kids Wish Network arranged for the family to stay at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, ride in the Key Largo Princess glass bottom boat, and dinner reservations were made at Outback Steakhouse, Key Largo Conch House and The Big Chill Restaurant.

“The meals were all wonderful. The last night at The Big Chill a man did balloon animals and Mariah loved watching him make them,” said Laurie. “And we got to sit out and look at the ocean while we ate our meal.”

Laurie said that everyone made Mariah feel so special. She said people kept coming up and asking her how she did.

“She loved it. She had squeals of delight. It worked well because we ended up with a dolphin that had done therapy and he just loved Mariah. He took her off on her own and pushed her feet right up on the shore,” said Laurie.

Laurie said that her experience with Kids Wish Network was wonderful and everyone made her and her family feel so comfortable.

“I think everybody had a wonderful time. I would tell anyone to refer their child to Kids Wish Network,” she said.

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Mariah’s wish come true: Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, Dr. James T. Wolf, DDS, Fraternal Order of Police, Grace Lutheran Church, Moose Lodge #571, Outback Steakhouse, Theatre of the Sea, Key Largo Conch House, Alamo Car Rental, The Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat and The Big Chill Restaurant.

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 www.kidswishnetwork.org

I had been diligently working on fulfilling Zachary’s wish and seemed to be getting nowhere when I reached the Moose Family Center close to where he lives. This was such a touching experience not only for me but for the family and especially Zachary. They not only held fundraisers for him but also made him an honorary member of the Moose so that he can go back and enjoy all the new friends he made. The sponsors that we are fortunate to connect with are truly special people and do some amazing things for our kids. I will never forget Fred and all of his efforts and kindness not only to me but especially to Zachary. It just reminds me that there are truly angels living among us!!

Doris
Development Dept.

Even on a stormy Florida day like today, I just love hearing all the sunny people here at Kids Wish Network headquarters. Despite the thunderclaps that punctuate phone calls to newspaper offices, sponsors, hospitals and wish kids, everyone is just doing a fantastic job. I see smiles everywhere and bright attitudes that are even outshining the sun at the moment. It’s a great feeling and I just wanted everyone to know the joy I always witness here.

~Alicia
Editorial Dept.

I recently put together a wish for a very special little girl named Gildiana. About 1 month ago I was given a “rush” wish for a six year old little girl who lives in Miami with a malignant brain tumor. When I contacted Gildiana and asked her about her wish, she said she wanted to go on a shopping spree at Wal-Mart for Dora and Princess toys as well as a TV for her room.

I immediately contacted the district office for Wal-Mart and was told to contact the store in Hialeah Gardens. When I did the Wal-Mart management team was excited to be able to help with this special wish. They agreed to donate a gift card and to make her shopping experience unique.

I was trying to think of ways to make this wish extraordinary so I contacted Horse Drawn Dreams to try to arrange for a “Cinderella” carriage to help Gildiana make a grand entrance at Wal-Mart. Horse Drawn Dreams was eager to help. Fabiola at Wal-mart called Mayor De La Cruz of Hialeah Gardens and he too was on board to make this a day to be remembered. He accompanied Gildiana on her spree and also bought a gift card to help her with her purchases. That day Gildiana was precious in her white princess gown that was donated by Little Adventures, LLC. She was able to get all the things she wanted and more!

I want to thank all the people in the community who helped to make this dream possible for Gildiana. I also want to thank the many people who were so touched by this little angel’s story who have called in to offer their support and best wishes to Gildiana and her family. No matter what the future holds for this little girl she has definitely touched many people in a big way!

Jill

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

Recently we were able to help make a young girl’s wish of going to “American Idol” come true.  I began working on Elena’s wish in September of ’08.  Elena is from Champaign, Illinois and has a condition known as Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy.  When I interviewed her she expressed her love for “American Idol” and especially Paula Abdul.  She told me she wanted to go see the show and too meet Paula.  I began working with American Idol to make her wish come true.

Last week Elena’s wish came true! She and her family were flown to Los Angeles, where they were greeted at the airport by a chauffeur in a stretch limousine and taken to the luxury SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills to begin a three day Hollywood adventure that included being able to attend a live “American Idol” show as members of the audience.  Elena brought a present for Paula and was even able to give it to her and to tell Paula how much she loved her.  Paula responded with a big hug and kiss for Elena and the rest of her family!  After the show was over Elena and her family were escorted up to a room where all the contestants were waiting to meet her.  She and her family were able to converse with all of them and ask lots of questions.  Afterward they all autographed shirts and photos for Elena as well as taking lots of photos with her.  I’m sure this is an experience that Elena will never forget! 

We had the pleasure of granting the wish of a lifetime to a little girl a little while back. Her parents recently sent us a letter telling us what a great time she had on her princess vacation:

Olivia’s Princess Experience

3-year-old Olivia, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, didn’t let her illness stop her from having the time of her life at Disney World! Olivia recently returned from her wish with smiles from ear to ear. She and her family visited many of the theme parks and of course all the princesses. It was such an honor planning this trip for such a precious little girl.

-Vanessa

Wish Coordinator

Here’s a lovely note we received from her parents:

We want to thank you and the Kids Wish Network for the best time of our lives. Olivia enjoyed every part of the trip. Some of the things she liked the most was the escalators at the airport, when the airplanes were landing, the plays and performances at Disney, meeting the princesses and being made into a princess at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique was the highlight of her trip as well as it was for us. Thank you again for everything.

Tony,Teri,Cameron

and Princess Olivia

I was just reading the press release on Kim. She was one of the first kids I was assigned to fund a wish for.
I’m so glad Kim and her family had a great time!  I was delighted that she had her wish to Disney fulfilled this time of year. I bet all the lights and decorations were beautiful. It’s great that Kim was able to have a fun getaway in sunny Florida. I hope it was an experience she’ll never forget.

Megan (Development)