Make a Wish Sends Lucas To Disney World
This time of year, we hear about a lot of different wishes kiddos and parents alike have. Sometimes it’s for a new toy, a new lung, or maybe a big trip. For PHS patient Lucas, the holidays came early when he was granted a wish through the Make a Wish Foundation to go to Disney World in November. We caught up with his mom to hear all about it, and share it with our readers!
This season, PHS sends wishes of happiness, health and time with loved ones to each and every one of you. We’ve had an incredible year with our patients, families, legislators and providers, and can’t wait to see what 2016 brings (psst, there are a couple hints here).
If there’s a ride you’ve been wondering about at Walt Disney World, look no further for information than PHS patient Lucas – after recently being granted a Make a Wish trip to Florida, he made sure each moment of the six days was packed with adventure and fun.
“I had my fitness tracker on, and we were walking 9-10 miles a day,” said his mom, Julie. “We were treated like royalty – being brought to the front of lines to go on rides, and riding them again and again as long as we wanted. Lucas couldn’t get enough.”
After going through an application process, Julie found out Lucas would be granted a wish and had a going away party hosted at the downtown Target.
“Lucas and his siblings, Jake and Sam, were getting travel gifts to get them ready to go to Florida,” mentioned Julie. “The morning we left, a limousine picked us up, we got to the airport and we were greeted by Make a Wish volunteers, and when we flew back to Minnesota they met us again and gave us a limo ride home. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience.”
A whirlwind trip
While they were at Walt Disney World, Julie, Lucas, Jake and Sam stayed at Give Kids the World Village, which is a 79-acre resort where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong cost-free fantasy vacations. It’s completely run by volunteers, and described as a fantasy land by Lucas and Julie.
While they were there, the family went to all four Disney parks, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, and Wet ‘n Wild. They spent time seeing shows (Beauty & the Beast), meeting Elsa & Anna (Give Kids the World has Disney characters at the resort every morning), and – of course – going on rides that scared everyone a little bit.
“I think I was the one the most scared!” said Julie. “Lucas would be adamant about going on, and would sometimes get nervous, but always wanted to go.”
Sprichst du Deutsch?
When Lucas and his family made a trip to EPCOT, they went to the German restaurant and discovered their waiter spoke the language – especially meaningful because Lucas knows German after taking it in school and having a nurse who he speaks only German with.
“The waiter brought two other staff named Lukas over, who were actually from Germany, and they were all having a conversation,” said Julie. “As we were leaving, there were two young girls from Germany and he was talking to them. Lucas told me, ‘mom, this is the best moment of my life.’”
Time for family bonding
Julie said that one of the best parts of this trip is that it wasn’t just about Lucas – it was about Jake and Sam too. Being able to watch all three of them enjoying the same things and taking care of one another was something she’ll always remember.
“We were all together for a week straight – and I was able to watch my older kids nurture Lucas, and watch Lucas interact with his siblings on another level. His medical needs have affected them too, so it was great to see them involved.”
This trip seems like one Lucas will never forget either – we’re so glad to see his wishes came true!
Originally published: December 23, 2015