I wish to howl with wolves!
Annelise
13
cancer
Annelise’s Howling With Wolves Wish
Annelise’s Wish
At the start of 2021, life for the Yuriza family was perfectly normal. Eleven-year-old Annelise was a normal, straight-A student who read everything she could about animals. But there was one in particular that always held her interest.
“Since she was little, she’s always had a fascination with wolves,” says her mom, Priscilla. “She says that’s her spirit animal.”
But later that year, life came to a crashing halt when doctors discovered a pilocytic astrocytoma—golf ball-sized tumor in Annelise’s brain.
A Difficult Journey
Annelise’s brain tumor was located on her thalamus, the area of the brain responsible for relaying almost all sensory information to the rest of the brain. Because of its location, doctors scheduled surgery to take a biopsy of the tumor.
But what should have been a simple procedure quickly turned sour.
“Everything that could go wrong in a surgery went wrong,” says Priscilla. “She had a massive brain bleed in the operating room. She had multiple strokes. She was in a coma for four months. When she finally woke up, her eyes were deviated to one side, she could barely hold her own head up, and she was quadriplegic. We were in the hospital for seven months. It’s been a really harsh journey for her. She went from being perfectly normal to having to relearn everything again.”
The ordeal and the recovery took a toll on the entire family, but Annelise was up to the challenge.
Initially, she was unable to talk, walk, or even eat. Today, she has no problem walking or eating and is able to speak, although with some difficulty. Her progress is remarkable. “Even the doctors didn’t think she would recover from all the damage,” Priscilla says.
It finally seemed like the perfect time to have Annelise’s wish granted.
“I just felt like she deserved it,” Priscilla recalls. “She was in the hospital for so long, it was time for her to be a kid. I think it was the right choice because she definitely had a blast!”
And for this animal lover, there was only one thing she wanted.
“I Wish To Howl With Wolves!”
The Yuriza family was whisked off to Panama City for an unforgettable getaway.
But even though she loved the hotel arcade, the aquarium, and getting a giant ice cream, their experience at Seacrest Wolf Preserve was the highlight of their trip.
“It was the most wonderful experience, I can’t believe it!” Annelise’s joy at remembering her wolf encounter is visible on her face whenever she speaks of it.
And by the sound of it, the wolves were just as enamored with her.
One wolf named “Dreamer” followed Annelise around. “She would raise her hand and make you scratch her armpit!” Annelise recalls.
She also got to see a peacock, feed alligators, touch a dolphin, and hold a baby kangaroo! “The dolphin…that might have been my second favorite,” remembers Annelise. “Peacock, third. Alligator fourth. The wolves were number one, there’s no doubt.”
When asked why wolves held such meaning for her, Annelise’s answer proves that she still likes to love…and laugh. “I love everything about them. But my most favorite thing is that they are all in one pack. My family is like that, because we never leave each other. I try to be by myself, but no!”
Unstoppable
Today, Annelise and her family are starting to think about treatment options for her brain tumor. But being able to look back on her incredible wish experience has shown that she is capable of anything.
With a spirit of determination—and her “pack” at her side—Annelise hopes to inspire those around her and is ready to conquer the world.
For children like Annelise, a granted wish is more than a fun trip or a life-changing experience, it’s the culmination of a lifetime of dreams. At Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida, it’s our mission to bring joy, strength, and hope to critically ill children. If you’re interested in learning how you can help, contact your local chapter.
