Eleven-year-old Mary and her mother, Malinda, first heard about the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® while Mary was receiving treatment for her life-threatening medical condition in a children’s hospital in Portland, Maine. They brought home the idea of a wish with Mary very excited and Malinda very leery. Malinda’s skepticism came from one of the most popular misconceptions about the Make-A-Wish Foundation – that it only exists for children with cancer. In actuality, the Foundation serves children with many kinds of life-threatening medical conditions, including cancer. Plus, Malinda was worried that her child wouldn’t qualify because she didn’t look sick. Lucky for everyone involved, Malinda put her doubts aside and made the call.

Fast forward to Mary’s first visit from her wish granters. The ladies brought over balloons, crayons, and gifts so the 11-year-old could have fun while formulating her wish. The excited girl knew her first choice – a Gateway computer with a printer and scanner. She also came up with a backup plan, which was a trip to a theme park in Florida. Mary figured that the computer was more practical because a trip would be over in a matter of days, while her computer could last for a long time. She also wanted the computer more because she could contact other kids with her illness, and she wanted to play games.

Mary questioned her mother many times about when her wish was going to be granted, but Malinda kept it a surprise by always saying the phone line was busy at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine. When the day came to have the new desk delivered for the computer, Mary had no idea that she would be receiving so much more. Mary’s dad was part of the plan and took his daughter and her friend, Davita, out to walk the dog. When they returned, a white limo pulled up to the front of the house. Inside were fancy glasses filled with ginger ale, a television, and a phone to speak with the driver. Mary and Davita climbed in and rode to a local mall, where they met another pal, Alana. The giggly group spent an hour-and-a-half playing arcade games, explored some shops, and then headed home to check on the new desk.

At home, Mary received another surprise when her stepsister, Melanie, greeted the limo and led her inside to a new change of clothes, including a blue silk gown, high heels, and a wand. Melanie worked for the local newspaper and was writing all about her sister’s fairy-tale experience. With her new outfit, Mary decided to find her desk and stumbled upon it, but sitting atop it was her wish – a new Gateway computer, digital camera, scanner, printer, software, and wrapped gift boxes containing computer accessories.

Today Mary is using her new computer for home schooling and plans to study dinosaurs when she gets older.