Christena and Cory started their family nearly twenty-five years ago in the far south suburbs of Chicago, welcoming two biological children, Gabriel and Kaleigh. Deeply involved in their community, Cory serves as a pastor at a local church. As their children grew, they began to question whether their family was truly complete. After a few years of being foster parents, they decided to pursue adoption. 

At just six weeks old, they adopted Samuel. At birth, he was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disorder that causes progressive muscle weakening, eventually leading to the need for a wheelchair in early adolescence.

Two years later, Christena and Cory received an unexpected call from the case manager who had overseen Samuel’s adoption. Samuel’s biological mother had given birth to another child, a boy named Josiah, who was also in need of a family. Given the genetic nature of Samuel’s disorder, they anticipated that Josiah might have the same condition. Without hesitation, they knew he would join their family. Genetic testing soon confirmed he shared his brother’s diagnosis. 

When Samuel turned five, his medical team referred him to Make-A-Wish Illinois. Originally, he had dreamed of traveling for his wish, but the pandemic posed significant limitations. His parents encouraged him to think of something he could enjoy for years to come. Christena suggested a hot tub, knowing that warm water could be beneficial for his muscles. Inspired, Samuel envisioned the perfect wish: a hot tub with lights, music, and enough space to seat his whole family. 

Four years later, the hot tub remains a beloved staple at their home, used by Samuel and Josiah three or four times a week. Samuel, influenced by his older sister Kaleigh, enjoys listening to classic rock—especially Queen—as his favorite hot tub soundtrack.

When Josiah was six his medical team referred him to Make-A-Wish. Having grown up hearing his older siblings reminisce about their childhood trip to Walt Disney World, Josiah knew exactly what he wanted for his wish: a Disney experience of his own. The family scheduled their trip for 2024, aiming to go while Samuel still had some independent mobility. Though Kaleigh couldn’t attend the trip due to college, Gabriel was able to join.

On Josiah’s wish trip, the family explored all the theme parks, where Christena described their experience as receiving the “gold-level treatment.” Given Samuel and Josiah’s mobility challenges, the ability to bypass long lines made all the difference in their ability to fully enjoy the parks.

Josiah, the youngest, had always been a bit shy and often struggled to express his emotions, but something shifted during the wish trip. Josiah and older brother Gabriel got much closer, , and by the end of the trip, the two were inseparable.

“Josiah got to dictate how the week went,” Christena reflected. “With his eyes wide open, he got to pick his meals and what he wanted to do.” The trip pushed Josiah out of his comfort zone and gave him the confidence to try new things. Though he had been timid about roller coasters before, he rode Big Thunder Mountain twice in a row. At Give Kids the World, a resort where wish families stay, he developed a routine of riding the carousel after every meal and indulging in ice cream twice a day.

“We can’t speak highly enough about the organization,” Cory shared when reflecting on both wishes. “Before our experience, we knew Make-A-Wish did good things, but we didn’t realize the level of detail that goes into each child’s experience. Even while traveling for Josiah’s wish, there were zero hiccups, which is rare when traveling.”

Wish families who visit Give Kids the World receive a “world passport” from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), granting them admission to various theme parks and experiences across the country for a year. The family has used their passport to visit Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg, the Georgia Aquarium, and the Blue Bunny corporate headquarters, where the kids got to make their own ice cream. Christena described the passport as a great benefit to keep the spirit alive after the wish.

Powered by the strength and confidence gained during their wishes, both Samuel and Josiah are participating in a clinical trial in St. Louis, continuing their journey together as brothers, adventurers, and wish kids.