“Good things can come from less than ideal circumstances,” said wish mom, Sarah. She’s talking about her son, Josiah, who will realize his wish at the end of the month thanks to supporters like you.
Josiah’s less than ideal circumstance began just a few weeks after birth when he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. “Looking down at our beautiful baby, I just couldn’t believe something was wrong,” Sarah said.
Since that time, he has fought through years of treatment and uncertainty. From daily breathing treatments and tests to a variety of supplements, it has been a long road for Josiah and his family. But Sarah credits their faith, many prayers and a few angels, including his wish granting volunteers, for helping throughout this journey.
“There’s a lot of things that Josiah dreams about,” said Kimberly, lead volunteer on Josiah’s wish. “He really has an engineering mind; likes to see how things come together and go apart.”
Fascinated by marine biology and a fan of the Dolphin Tale films, about a dolphin who loses her tail and is fitted with a prosthetic one, Josiah came up with the perfect idea.
Motivated by the dolphin’s struggle, a tale much like his own, he wished to meet Winter and learn about her new tail. After, said Josiah, he hopes to learn how to make something similar for someone else in need.
Before his wish was granted, Josiah was beyond excited. “He [was] thrilled,” said Sarah. “He [told] everyone—the neighbors, the mailman, the grocers.”
Josiah is one lucky boy whose wish was granted. But there are 400 other children who are currently waiting for their wish. Make-A-Wish is committed to granting all these wishes with the help of donors like you.
Special thanks: Wish-granting volunteers Kimberly S. Carper and Jourdan E. Brune, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Winter, and Busch Gardens.