Has anyone had a wish granted through Make a Wish?

[Anonymous]

DC’s social worker told us that our DC has a qualifying condition and she will refer us if we want.

Has anyone else done this? I think my struggle is that our DC seems to be doing well, and I guess I worry what people will think if our (not visibly sick) DC is granted a wish.

I also worry that we aren’t low income. I mean, we aren’t rich by any means but up until recently my DH and I were both working full time and making around $230k, combined. But I had to quit my job earlier this year because of DC’s health issues. But we have traveled before, and we have a nice house. But we could never afford to do a trip like the kinds of trips that Make a Wish does to places like Disney.

I’d love to hear about others’ experiences if anyone has done this before.

[Anonymous]

My SIL went through this. She had the same concerns as you and also knew some family members on her side would make some snide remarks. What changed her mind was another MAW parent telling her to think of it as a "reward" for DS. The kid has had a rough life even if he's not what you think of when you think of a MAW kid. But he's been in and out of hospitals, had to miss out on a lot of things other kids can do, has had countless doctors appts, and generally just has had to fight since the day he was born. They did MAW and are so so glad they did. They had an amazing time and people were generally very supportive. I will say, she's not a SM person. The same parent who convinced her to do it also told her to keep it private. Every so often posts gain traction online and that's when the nasty trolls come out.

[Anonymous]

My friend from HS did! She had cancer and got to go with her whole family to Disney World.

[Anonymous]

My friend did when her son had cancer. I think Disney gives special access to the Make a Wish Kids. She and her husband and wealthy lawyers.

If you are worried about the money, you could pick one that doesn't cost as much money. Like a phone call with a celebrity or something.

I'd do it. Let the organization decide whether your kid qualifies.

[Anonymous]

MAW sent our neighbors to Australia for 2 weeks. The entire family of seven people. The “child” who survived lymphoma was diagnosed at 18 and was 21 on the trip, a junior at Yale. Parents are doctors.

Shoot your shot, OP.

[Anonymous]

I say it's a resource that is available, and it's up to the foundation to decide if you qualify or not. I don't think that asking is unreasonable.

I'm sorry for the illness that your child is dealing with. I think that whatever you can do to create a special experience for them, and the family, will be great.

[Anonymous]

My kid is in the process of choosing a wish right now. When you start, they’ll send you a big packet of info (at least the Mid-Atlantic chapter does), and it tells the story of the founder’s son who wished to be a police officer for a day. So the basic spirit of the program is definitely to provide experiences more than material goods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say it's a resource that is available, and it's up to the foundation to decide if you qualify or not. I don't think that asking is unreasonable.

I'm sorry for the illness that your child is dealing with. I think that whatever you can do to create a special experience for them, and the family, will be great.

+1

[Anonymous]

I know a HS kid who had Hodgkins lymphoma - the kid went heli-skiing for their wish. The community was nothing but supportive

[Anonymous]

“A wish is something that gives kids the opportunity to look outside their illness — it restores a sense of childhood back to the child and normalcy back to the family. Research shows, and physicians agree, wishes can help improve a child's quality of life and produce better health outcomes.“

https://wish.org/more-than-medicine

I say do it (let your child make the choice) and screw anyone who says anything snide.

[Anonymous]

It's for children who are seriously ill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's for children who are seriously ill.

It’s for children who qualify, and that is up to the foundation.

OP, I donate to MAE annually (I was exposed when a former co-worker’s son was granted a wish and the experience moved me deeply) and I would never second guess any wish granted. It is an amazing organization and I trust them.

I wish good things for your child, and I hope they have a good experience.

[Anonymous]

I have relatively wealthy friends who went to Disney through MAW before their child died. It was really nice for them to get a trip, especially for the siblings who didn’t get a normal childhood either.

[Anonymous]

If your social worker suggested it, then it is appropriate.

Sensitive people know that families at higher income levels can still be financially drained by health care costs.

Maybe someday you'll be able to donate for someone else's wish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's for children who are seriously ill.

If OP is considering this, they have a serious diagnosis. Even if they are now recovering, or doing well relative to other kids with their diagnosis, it's still something that probably has greatly impacted their life. If MAW accepts it, I wouldn't hesitate.

I have known a number of kids helped by MAW, it's a wonderful organization.