We have always known about Make a Wish and always supported via the Jolly Holiday Lights long before we had Charlotte. We did start hearing about Make a Wish more recently at our Cystic Fibrosis clinic. We first attempted before the pandemic, but then started the process again after everyone was eligible for vaccinations.
Charlotte really wanted to go to the ocean. She really loves the movie Moana and chose her wish based on this. After she chose to go to Hawaii, we researched other Hawaii Make a Wish trips and looked at pictures as well as watching many Hawaii movies and videos. We had all our meds and called ahead all the refills. Make-A-Wish had a case of formula for feeding tube feedings and respiratory vest sent to hotel so we had a lot less to travel with. We loved hanging on the beach, swimming with dolphins, and the Luau. What an amazing trip.
This experience gave us time to just relax and have no worries. We were able to go at our own pace and spend some stress free family time together. We would have an activity and then rest the next day. We made forever memories and enjoyed every moment. We were more strict than most families during quarantine. Lock down was until all the younger kids were able to be vaccinated, so we didn't travel at all. This was really the first trip she remembers.
Make-A-Wish gives families, parents, siblings, and patients a sense of HOPE. That is the biggest reward. Giving people hope once they have been fighting medical conditions. A sense of being "normal" and not worrying about meds, treatments, and surgeries. Vacations are not in the budget. Paying bills, meds, and hospital stays take priority. This vacation gave us time together without stress.
