We are AVM survivors, here for your support.

Make-A-Wish Eligibility

Our kids are eligible for having a wish granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. My son Ryan had his wish of going to a professional motocross race granted earlier this month, and he was in heaven! It was by far the best time of his life. He got to meet Ryan Dungey, who's currently in first place on the pro motocross circuit, and even got a sweaty, dirty, signed practice jersey from him!

Make-A-Wish is a wonderful organization who grants wishes to kids with life-threatening illnesses or conditions. It's a common misperception that they only grant wishes to kids with terminal illnesses. I first applied for Ryan when he was initially diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, but then when his diagnosis was changed to an AVM, it turned out that he was still eligible.

You can find out more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation by going to www.wish.org. You can nominate your own child or someone else's, and their eligibility is verified by their doctor. Let Make-A-Wish make your child's wish come true. And what's even better, you get to watch the absolute delight on your child's face and forget about all the yucky stuff for a while.

Make-A-Wish also takes donations because granting wishes is not free for them. They're a great organization. Check them out.

Kelly

Tags: Make-A-Wish

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mickie & Nico on July 30, 2010 at 2:22pm

That's strange... we didn't qualify in California.

Permalink Reply by Diane K on July 30, 2010 at 4:27pm

Hi Kelly. My daughter Katie is waiting for her wish: a day in New York City with a fashion photographer. She's been waiting awhile, but it's a very special wish. And I agree this is something that is perfect for our kids. My daughter was 15 when her AVM hemmorhaged and I wanted to do something that would be as miraculously good as what happened was unexpectedly not good. Families should contact a local office. You need to have your child's doctors confirm the case etc. and, depending on where you live, it can be a lengthly process. Congrats to your son!

Permalink Reply by Kenzies Momma Kelley on October 9, 2010 at 12:04am

Thanks to you, my daughter will have her make a wish granted on Sunday. She wished for a "game room" bedroom. She is getting a flat screen tv and an xbox. Along with a bunch of games and some accessorizing of her bedroom. Thank you so much for posting and giving my daughter a life long wish of hers. God Bless You! You have forever positively changed the life of a child you will never know. A child that I will make sure knows that she received this opportunity from an extremely kind stranger, who took the time to make a difference in others lives. I am forever grateful to you.

She will be having a craniectomy on Oct 27th, 2010. They will be removing her entire right occipital lobe. I am thrilled she will have an awesome bedroom to come home to for her recovery!

Permalink Reply by Monica Longood/Ryan's Mom on October 18, 2010 at 6:18am

My son, also name Ryan, made a wish when he was just 3! Now he is turning 13!!! We went to Disney World in Orlando and stayed at Give Kids The World for one week. We went to every Park there and were treated like kings and queens! It was a week we will never forget. The entire family was paid for including airfare, spending money, accomodations, food, etc etc etc!!! My mother in law has since made a career out of it and is the director of operations there. They are all such wonderful people at GKTW if your child chooses this as his/her wish... it is a magical week of a lifetime! :)

Permalink Reply by Kelly Nelsen on October 18, 2010 at 8:15am

Kelley,

I'm so glad you could do this for Kenzie!! Ryan's Make-A-Wish was his favorite time in life so far, and I hope Kenzie feels that way, too! The Make-A-Wish Foundation is an awesome organization, isn't it?!

I will be praying for Kenzie's surgery to be successful on the 27th with no complications and a fast recovery. May God keep Kenzie safe, guide the surgeons' hands so that they do a perfect surgery, and comfort you and give you peace and confidence that He's in perfect control.

Kelly

Kenzie's Momma Kelley said:

Thanks to you, my daughter will have her make a wish granted on Sunday. She wished for a "game room" bedroom. She is getting a flat screen tv and an xbox. Along with a bunch of games and some accessorizing of her bedroom. Thank you so much for posting and giving my daughter a life long wish of hers. God Bless You! You have forever positively changed the life of a child you will never know. A child that I will make sure knows that she received this opportunity from an extremely kind stranger, who took the time to make a difference in others lives. I am forever grateful to you.

She will be having a craniectomy on Oct 27th, 2010. They will be removing her entire right occipital lobe. I am thrilled she will have an awesome bedroom to come home to for her recovery!

Permalink Reply by Kelly Nelsen on October 18, 2010 at 8:16am

Hi, Diane,

I know it's been a while, and I was wondering if Katie has gotten her wish yet. If so, how did it go? I hope it was awesome!

Kelly

Diane K said:

Hi Kelly. My daughter Katie is waiting for her wish: a day in New York City with a fashion photographer. She's been waiting awhile, but it's a very special wish. And I agree this is something that is perfect for our kids. My daughter was 15 when her AVM hemmorhaged and I wanted to do something that would be as miraculously good as what happened was unexpectedly not good. Families should contact a local office. You need to have your child's doctors confirm the case etc. and, depending on where you live, it can be a lengthly process. Congrats to your son!

Permalink Reply by Tracey Eyles on October 24, 2010 at 1:15pm

Hi Kelly, They are a great organisation my son just received his wish for a buggy and he is loving it, he also is spending more enjoyable time with his sister as she can fit in too.

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Nelsen on October 27, 2010 at 10:10pm

Tracey,

That's awesome! I love the picture!

Tracey Eyles said:

Hi Kelly, They are a great organisation my son just received his wish for a buggy and he is loving it, he also is spending more enjoyable time with his sister as she can fit in too.

Permalink Reply by lauren myers, Ethans mum on May 31, 2011 at 2:16pm

Hi, Ethan got his wish to visit disney land paris and will be going on the 8th July. Ethan will be staying for 4 nights with myself my mum and little brother. I will let you all know how it went when we return. Ethan's very excited for going on all the rides.

Permalink Reply by StarieNite on May 31, 2011 at 2:48pm

Dev picked DisneyWorld and to meet Phineas and Ferb and to skip every line. Waiting to speak with wish grantors.

Permalink Reply by Kelly Nelsen on May 31, 2011 at 3:07pm

Lauren,

Paris, huh? That sounds wonderful!! Ryan chose to go to Michigan. Go figure. Once-in-a-lifetime chance to travel the world and he picks MICHIGAN. LOL. He LOVES motocross, though, and there was a professional mx race there.

Part of the excitement of the Make-A-Wish thing is the anticipation of going, isn't it? Take lots of pictures!! :-)

Kelly

Permalink Reply by Kelly Nelsen on May 31, 2011 at 3:08pm

StarieNite,

Phineas & Ferb -- that's awesome. My kids LOVE that show. It'll be a great time!!

Kelly

StarieNite said: