Wishes Do Come True....

Wishes Do Come True....
by Lisa C. Greene

For years, my two children have been dreaming about their wishes. And, finally, in the space of about thirty days, both had their wishes come true! Let me explain.

Both of our children have cystic fibrosis, a life-shortening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs (visit CFF.org for details). They knew that people with serious medical conditions could "make-a-wish" and it would be granted. Over the years, they have dreamed about trips to fun places, buying crazy things, meeting Barney, Sponge Bob, Hannah Montana, and the list goes on.

Just knowing that they had a wish has helped them cope over the years. I would hear comments like, "Mommy, having CF is hard but at least I get my wish someday." My eyes would fill with tears and I'd think, "Yes, thank heavens we have a wish to help you, and me, look on the bright side of all of this."

The kids work very hard at staying as healthy as possible given their medical conditions. They do about two hours a day of breathing treatments and chest physical therapy. They take around sixteen medications and various supplements between them. And that's when they are "healthy"! The possibility of a two week hospitalization for IV antiobiotics due to a lung infection is an ever-present threat for both kids. So, the idea of being treated really special for a couple of days was appealing to all of us.

I really wanted the kids to have their wish when they were old enough to remember it. And I also wanted their wish to be something that I couldn't do for them. Yes, Disney is cool but Grandma lives in Florida so we visited there a lot on our own as a family. And trips to fun places, cruises, and shopping sprees were all things that I could do for them if I saved my pennies and planned well.

So, over the years, I encouraged them to think about famous people they might want to meet. That, I couldn't do for them even by saving my pennies. I encouraged them to think of meeting movie stars, famous singers, even the President! The kids had so much fun dreaming about who they would meet someday.

Fads would come and go; Hannah, Justin, and Sponge Bob all came and went. I never said, "No, that's not a good wish" but I did let them know that they should sit with it for a couple of months before they really decided. Inevitably, they would change their minds.

When Jacob turned 12, he decided that he was ready for his wish. Of course, Kasey (age 10) was not to be left out, so she was ready for her wish as well. We filled out the proper forms and paperwork including doctor's signatures verifying the life-shortening nature of CF and sent it off with great anticipation. Imagine my surprise when I received..... a reject letter!! My children were "too healthy" to have a wish. And, I heard rumors that CF was being taken off of the "wish" list because people with CF were living longer and there was the possibility of a cure around the corner.

Now, as a Mom, I was in a real quandary. My children have a life-shortening illness with the life-expectancy being 39 years of age. Yes, they are doing well right now but CF is progressive and that could change at any time, quickly. And all of their lives, my children had been dreaming of, and getting hope from, their wishes. On the other hand, how could I be sad about the fact that my children were not "imminently dying" as the paperwork said?

I had to deliver the good/bad news to my kids. "Good news: you are not dying. Bad news: you've been rejected for your wish because you are not dying."

I certainly couldn't begrudge the wish foundation who rejected us. They are a very fine charity who does wonderful work. I totally understood where they were coming from; we just weren't within their "scope of work." But yet, here I was, with two children with CF, who really needed a little hope; a bright spot.

Enter "Kids Wish Network." I did some research online and found a wonderful organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses but doesn't require them to be "imminently terminal". They are dedicated to "infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children having experienced life-altering situations." The kids they serve have "faced some incredible challenges in their brief lives, and are in desperate need of hope to get through their difficult times. It is our promise to fulfill and touch these little hearts that deserve some much needed comfort and joy."

Yup, that described my children to a tee. As a mom, I am very grateful to Kids Wish Network and our wish coordinator, Jill Atchison, for making our wishes come true. Within about six months of completing the paperwork, both of our kid's wishes were granted. And they were over-the-top, better than expected, and dreams of a lifetime. Of course, I'll tell you all about their wishes very soon. :-)

**********
Lisa C. Greene is an author, public speaker, certified parent coach, and the mother of two children with cystic fibrosis. With Foster Cline MD, Lisa co-authored the award winning Love and Logic® book “Parenting Children with Health Issues: Essential Tools, Tips and Tactics for Raising Kids with Chronic Illness, Medical Conditions and Special Healthcare Needs.” Lisa donates proceeds from her writing to help in the fight for a cure for cystic fibrosis. For more information, see www.parentingchildrenwithhealthissues.com