Guest guest Posted June 27, 2003 Report Share Posted June 27, 2003 Hi Everyone, The Regional and the Statewide chapters of the Make-a-wish foundation have featured Josh's story in their News letters. I thought you all may be interested in reading it. Also those who answered my email about the strange lump, it is really nothing just a " cyst " like lump that will probably go away on it's own. Thanks for your replies. Mom to Josh 9 wcf & Crohn's and 4 nocf but wants to do therapy for his brother. P. Nine-year-old wish child from the Berkshire town of Peru is like many boys his age. He enjoys playing soccer, reading Harry Potter books and loves watching his favorite cartoon character Sponge Bob Square Pants. A straight A student, he is the apple of his 4-year-old brother Sam’s eye. So much so that on days Josh doesn't want to take his daily medications or have his respiratory therapy, Sam offers to do it for him.  Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 3 ½, Josh has striven to be a regular kid. According to his parents, and Neil, although Josh faces so much day-to-day, he takes his disease in stride.  When he saw a boy with CF on television talking about his Make-A-Wish experience Josh asked his parents, “Can I have a wish?â€Â Shortly thereafter, Josh’s special wish was brought to our attention.  On the day his Make-A-Wish volunteers came to visit, Josh stood at his front door eagerly anticipating their arrival. In colorful detail, he described his lifelong dream of getting a behind-the-scenes look at how a cruise ship was run. “I want to be Captain of a cruise ship!†he announced.    As the family requested traveling during school vacation. it would be six months before Josh’s wish would be realized. He counted the days on the calendar that hung over his bed and each day he added items to the list of things he wanted to bring on the cruise. “During those six months, he talked about his wish every single day,†said . “It was such a welcome diversion for him from the daily challenges he faces.â€Â   With no more days to cross off on his calendar, Josh could barely contain his excitement. When a shiny black stretch limousine pulled in their driveway to escort the family to the airport, Josh only wished it were a school day so that his friends could see him drive by.  Upon boarding the ship in San , Puerto Rico, he was greeted by a representative from the Cruise Lines who presented him with his very own captain’s shirt and hat. Throughout the weeklong cruise, fellow crewmembers stopped to salute their new Captain whenever they passed him on the ship. Josh and his fa mily visited the ship’s bridge where they were given a private tour and met the ship’s ‘real’ Captain. Josh asked him all the questions he had been rehearsing for weeks.  On his much-anticipated ninth birthday, Josh swam with live dolphins and returned to the cabin to find it decorated with balloons, streamers and a birthday cake. “Yes, Josh’s illness was still present during his wish, but with so much to look forward to, it made it that much easier. We could put it aside and focus on the fun things we would do as a family,†said.   “We, his parents, got the ultimate wish,†Neil and shared. “It is what every parent wishes for their child - days spent without a care in the world. The happiness that was on Josh’s face everyday of that trip will be etched in our minds forever. What wonderful memories you have given to our family to hold in our hearts and to lean on when the going gets tough.† Months later, Josh continues to talk of his wish and enjoys looking at the photographs from the trip. The family sings songs they learned on the cruise and often reminisce about the fun they had. This summer, Josh will put together a scrap book complete with photos and mementos from his Make-A-Wish experience. “The whole experience gave us a special time as a family,†said. “ We look back on his wish with such fondness.â€Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2003 Report Share Posted July 15, 2003 WOW! What a wonderful wish come true! I always thought that Make-a-wish wouldn't be something for our daughter but after hearing Josh's story I'd like to find out more. Please let me know how you went about making the wish come true. Thanks - Kathy G. (Mom to age 9 w/ CF) Josh's Make-a wish story Hi Everyone, The Regional and the Statewide chapters of the Make-a-wish foundation have featured Josh's story in their News letters. I thought you all may be interested in reading it. Also those who answered my email about the strange lump, it is really nothing just a " cyst " like lump that will probably go away on it's own. Thanks for your replies. Mom to Josh 9 wcf & Crohn's and 4 nocf but wants to do therapy for his brother. P. Nine-year-old wish child from the Berkshire town of Peru is like many boys his age. He enjoys playing soccer, reading Harry Potter books and loves watching his favorite cartoon character Sponge Bob Square Pants. A straight A student, he is the apple of his 4-year-old brother Sam’s eye. So much so that on days Josh doesn't want to take his daily medications or have his respiratory therapy, Sam offers to do it for him. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 3 ½, Josh has striven to be a regular kid. According to his parents, and Neil, although Josh faces so much day-to-day, he takes his disease in stride. When he saw a boy with CF on television talking about his Make-A-Wish experience Josh asked his parents, “Can I have a wish?†Shortly thereafter, Josh’s special wish was brought to our attention. On the day his Make-A-Wish volunteers came to visit, Josh stood at his front door eagerly anticipating their arrival. In colorful detail, he described his lifelong dream of getting a behind-the-scenes look at how a cruise ship was run. “I want to be Captain of a cruise ship!†he announced. As the family requested traveling during school vacation. it would be six months before Josh’s wish would be realized. He counted the days on the calendar that hung over his bed and each day he added items to the list of things he wanted to bring on the cruise. “During those six months, he talked about his wish every single day,†said . “It was such a welcome diversion for him from the daily challenges he faces.†With no more days to cross off on his calendar, Josh could barely contain his excitement. When a shiny black stretch limousine pulled in their driveway to escort the family to the airport, Josh only wished it were a school day so that his friends could see him drive by. Upon boarding the ship in San , Puerto Rico, he was greeted by a representative from the Cruise Lines who presented him with his very own captain’s shirt and hat. Throughout the weeklong cruise, fellow crewmembers stopped to salute their new Captain whenever they passed him on the ship. Josh and his fa mily visited the ship’s bridge where they were given a private tour and met the ship’s ‘real’ Captain. Josh asked him all the questions he had been rehearsing for weeks. On his much-anticipated ninth birthday, Josh swam with live dolphins and returned to the cabin to find it decorated with balloons, streamers and a birthday cake. “Yes, Josh’s illness was still present during his wish, but with so much to look forward to, it made it that much easier. We could put it aside and focus on the fun things we would do as a family,†said. “We, his parents, got the ultimate wish,†Neil and shared. “It is what every parent wishes for their child - days spent without a care in the world. The happiness that was on Josh’s face everyday of that trip will be etched in our minds forever. What wonderful memories you have given to our family to hold in our hearts and to lean on when the going gets tough.†Months later, Josh continues to talk of his wish and enjoys looking at the photographs from the trip. The family sings songs they learned on the cruise and often reminisce about the fun they had. This summer, Josh will put together a scrap book complete with photos and mementos from his Make-A-Wish experience. “The whole experience gave us a special time as a family,†said. “ We look back on his wish with such fondness.†Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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