Jackson got a Make-A-Wish! In the fall of 2018, a former co-worker, who now works for Make-A-Wish, contacted me and suggested that Jackson apply for a wish. We submitted an application and, in February 2019 (the day Jackson got his casts off from his hip surgery), Make-A-Wish called and told me that Jackson qualified and was getting a wish. I immediately burst into tears and told the Make-A-Wish representative that this was horrible news. You see, I didn’t actually want Jackson to qualify for Make-A-Wish because it confirmed what I already knew to be true, that Jackson has a critical illness from which he’s not going to recover. I got over my initial reaction and was able to get excited for Jackson.

This past winter, Make-A-Wish volunteers came to our house to discuss what Jackson would want for a wish. After much contemplation, we decided to ask for a hot tub because Jackson loves aqua therapy but the water must be warm or Jackson starts shivering. We were able to complete most of the paperwork during his long hospital stay earlier this year, which was convenient, as it required many doctor’s signatures and we were around plenty of doctors.

Jackson’s wish was delivered a few weeks ago and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. We try to get him in the hot tub twice a week. It is so easy to have this at our house rather than take him somewhere. For example, when we take him to the indoor heated pool at the YMCA, we have to bring the wheelchair, jogging stroller, diaper bag, and swim gear. It takes forever to get ready and there’s not a good place to change him when we are done swimming. Whereas, we are already equipped to handle Jackson at our house. We were also trying to get Jackson into another aqua therapy session but Covid-19 hit; so this is a good substitute.

Thanks to Make-A-Wish for providing this wonderful opportunity to Jackson.