I wish to go to Yosemite National Park
Jack
5
brain tumor
Jack's Wish to go to Yosemite National Park
Jack feels joy from being around trees and seeing the leaves fall with the breeze.
When Jack was 19 months old, his parents were told he had a brain tumor and would require immediate surgery. One week they were just a normal family and the next week they were living at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. After a successful but nerve-wracking operation, Jack started his first round of chemotherapy. He unfortunately had side effects from the treatments, so he had to extend his hospital stay. Mom and dad had to pivot to make sure Jack got the support he needed. They live an hour away from the hospital, so they had to shift their schedules to make sure Jack always had someone with him.
During this challenging and stressful time, Jack’s family found out about Make-A-Wish from their social worker at the hospital. Jack is non-verbal, but he can communicate what he likes and dislikes. Jack loves to be outside and sit under a tree at his house. He loves to see the leaves move with the breeze and fall on the ground. After being inside so much during his hospital stay, being outside brings him so much joy. When Make-A-Wish talked to Jack’s parents about a wish, they knew it had to be an experience being outside in nature.
Thanks to generous support from long-time Make-A-Wish partner Bristol Myers Squibb, Jack, his little brother, and parents went to Yosemite National Park for his wish! They stayed in a lodge with a pool and were able to go sightseeing and on walks. Jack got to fully immerse himself in the beauty of Yosemite and be surrounded by so many trees. They had the chance to disconnect from technology and just be a family exploring the national park. Mom and Jack’s favorite part of the trip was the open-air tram ride. It was nonstop smiles from Jack and his brother! He loved the movement of the tram and feeling the wind on his face.
Jack’s mom said, “I think after Covid, things got a little crazy. It was easy to get lost in the day to day. It was nice to take a break and have family time away. We needed time away from the house and phones.” Jack’s family was able to spend quality time together away from their usual routine and breathe in some fresh air. Jack loved being outside with his family exploring and now craves to be outside more. Five-year-old Jack has started kindergarten and is ready for his next adventure with his family!
It was really nice to just focus on Jack and (have) it (be) all about him and not having to stress about planning, just spending time as a family.
Jack's Mom