Alex, Age 14
Laryngo tracheal bronchial malacia
I wish to go to my favorite theme park

How can we even begin to describe Alex?  “Alex has spent his entire life in a hospital bed,” explains his mom, Tamera.  “He has never gotten to experience anything or go anywhere.  He always had to stay in the house because his immune system was so very weak.”  Even though he’s blind and terribly sick, Alex is so brave and incredibly kind.  He seems to have a joyful glow about him that just draws people to him.

Alex’s wish was a lifeline of hope…the promise of a much needed break where he could just be a boy.  Last November, Alex finally had his wish come true and his mother, step-father and sister all joined him on a magical California theme park adventure.  And that experience was life transforming.

“Make-A-Wish® Arizona healed my family with that trip. I went to California with a child who was so ill. I came back with a completely different kid and a whole new outlook on life!”

Tamera will never forget Alex’s first roller coaster ride. After many twists and turns and dives, Alex grinned from ear to ear with joy written all over his face. And after that, Alex went on to ride every roller coaster in the park.

Then, at the end of a very long and exciting day, Tamera heard someone shouting above the crowds. She stopped in her tracks when she saw that it was Alex. He suddenly shouted, “Hey!  Hey, Momma!” Tamera couldn’t believe it. Her son finally spoke to her for the first time - he finally called her ‘Momma’. Can you imagine the joy that ran through her heart at hearing those words?

“He’s been talking up a storm ever since” says Tamera with much emotion. “He’s always singing or humming. He even puts his hand on my mouth to figure out how to make the sounds. Make-A-Wish® is more than a dream come true. It’s life-changing. Now he lives every second to the fullest.” says Mom.  “If I could make another child’s wish come true and affect their life like my son’s, that would make me truly happy.”