I wish to meet Michael Jackson
Michael, wish granted in 1993
neuromuscular disorder
Our 1,000th wish: Michael meets his icon
Nine-year-old Michael lived with muscle atrophy that confined him to a wheelchair. When he was referred for a wish in 1993, Michael immediately knew he wanted to meet his favorite pop singer, Michael Jackson.
Young Michael was informed that fulfilling a high-profile celebrity wish would take longer than usual. He was given the option to choose a different wish that could be granted sooner, but he didn't want a backup wish—it had to be Michael Jackson. When being interviewed by the former volunteer founder of Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, Bob Montgomery, after his wish was completed, Michael shared, "It was worth the wait."
Two years after Michael made his decision, his eagerly anticipated wish day finally arrived, and it was more than he imagined.
Michael sharing souvenirs from his wish trip to Michael Jackson's ranch with his volunteer wish granter, Marion Kenyon.
On Sunday, November 29, 1993, Michael and his parents were picked up in a luxurious limousine and boarded a plane to Los Angeles. There, they were whisked away to the Westin Hotel, where giant cookies and milk awaited them in the hotel's waiting room.
After a one-night stay, Michael, his parents, and eight other Make-A-Wish families from around the world boarded a bus destined for Neverland Valley, Michael Jackson's secluded estate in the Santa Ynez mountains.
Young Michael, brimming with excitement, was one of the first off the bus when it reached Jackson's estate. Michael was instantly greeted by none other than the King of Pop himself. "Hello, I'm Michael Jackson," Jackson said.
Michael, his parents, and the other wish families enjoyed a tour of the ranch by Michael Jackson himself. They enjoyed a visit to the arcade, a private showing of the film Aladdin, and a barbecue lunch on Jackson's property.
They completed the tour riding on Jackson's personal carnival rides and attractions while meeting his various pets along the way—an orangutan and a llama—who playfully licked young Michael's cheek. The day concluded with Jackson gifting each of the wish kids with a special Neverland box filled with souvenirs.
"It was an amazing day," stated Michael's dad, Jim, in a 1991 newspaper article from the Contra Costa Sun. "Michael was so excited he could hardly talk."
After Michael’s wish, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area founding volunteer Bob Montgomery interviewed young Michael for the 1993 Wishline Newsletter. During the interview, Bob noted that young Michael remained in awe as he recounted the experience, sharing with Bob the contents of his special Neverland box filled with souvenirs from the ranch.
In a surprising turn, Michael presented Bob with one of the special badges he had received at the Ranch, with the unique Neverland Valley logo. After Michael insisted on gifting the badge to Make-A-Wish, Bob understood that it was his way of expressing gratitude to Make-A-Wish for helping turn his one true wish into a reality.
Michael holding his special Neverland box filled with souvenirs after his wish to meet Michael Jackson in 1993.
On Saturday, September 5, 1991, our chapter celebrated Michael’s wish and reaching the remarkable milestone of 1,000 wishes come true. The event, Celebrating 1,000 Wishes, took place at Marine World, where Michael was joined by 500 other wish kids. Marine World generously donated 1,000 tickets to Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area for wish kids and their families to attend the celebration.
Wish kid Dustin at the 1,000th wish celebration at Marine World on Saturday, September 5, 1991