I wish to go on a dinosaur dig
Ian
14
liver transplant recipient
Unearthing Possibility
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Dinosaurs, science, and travel are tops on 14-year-old Ian’s list of favorites. “Ian loves sharing his knowledge and learning new things,” says his mom, Heidi.
Ian, who exudes a playful spirit and a quiet strength, was born with a rare liver disease. As a liver transplant recipient, he is accustomed to following a strict regimen of care. Through his wish to go on a dinosaur dig, Ian envisioned the freedom to explore and let his imagination run wild, while learning more about dinosaurs.
A visit to Franklin Park Zoo in Boston this summer turned out to be a surprise wish reveal for Ian!
Ian (center) at his surprise wish reveal at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston
“I was so surprised and thought, ‘Is this actually happening?!’ It didn’t seem real until we got to South Dakota."
In the Badlands of South Dakota, Ian and his family participated in two days of authentic digging for real dinosaur remains and fossils. “As far as I can remember, I have loved dinosaurs," says Ian. "They are like real-life dragons. I want to bring some back to life someday to study them. Since I can’t (yet!), digging for their bones is the next best thing.”
Ian and his family discovered a 65-million-year-old triceratops frill horn the first day. Ian also found a triceratops tooth and an Edmontosaurus skull fragment, and his dad, Jerry, found a tyrannosaurus rex tooth and a triceratops jawbone.
“To think that I just uncovered remains from something that was living 65 million years ago—THAT IS SO COOL! It is like a treasure hunt without a map, and you don’t know what you will find,” describes Ian.
Ian, looking official and ready for his dino dig
Hard at work at the dig site
One of the many fossils Ian and his family helped unearth on the dig
Taking a break
Expert Ian poses at his dig site
Ian and his family snap a selfie with Walter (far left) from PaleoAdventures
“Seeing my son’s face when he found his first dinosaur bone fragment was my favorite part of the wish,” shares Heidi. “He was so intently focused on all the instructions and processes. Ian was in his element. And he really bonded with the other participants.”
A WishMaker in Action
Ian’s dig was hosted by PaleoAdventures, and its president, Walter, a renowned vertebrate paleontologist and dinosaur hunter, led the excursion. Ian admired Walter and felt a great connection with him: “Walter understood me, laughed at my jokes, and knew what I was talking about.”
Ian with his guide Walter, President of PaleoAdventures and a WishMaker for over a decade
Walter echoes the admiration: “Our trips are the real deal, and many kids don’t have the patience for the real thing. Ian clearly was very knowledgeable and he showed a natural talent for making the right paleo decisions. I hope Ian carries with him a sense of pride that he was able to brave the Badlands and do very well.”
For Walter, being a WishMaker for over a decade and meeting many wish kids carries extra meaning. “My father passed away at the age of 22 from leukemia, when I was only 5 months old, so I know first-hand how sudden illness and the battle that follows affects a family. We love working with Make-A-Wish to help wish families have happy moments when they can forget the fear and sadness that an illness brings.”
“If there is anyone out there considering supporting Make-A-Wish with a donation or by directly participating in a wish, I highly recommend it,” says Walter.
More Exploring and Discovering
On his wish trip, Ian and his family also visited additional exciting outdoor attractions, including Rush Mountain Adventure Park and Rushmore Cave. At Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Ian and his sister, Ainsley, received a special welcome and were made junior rangers.
“The fact that there was careful listening to Ian’s interests, as well as Ainsley’s, with an open mind, made for great planning of the entire trip," says Ian's dad, Jerry. "What was fun about this experience is that it was planned for Ian, yet each of us was included and might respond differently with what our favorite highlights were.”
“We really were taken aback by all the little surprises in our trip," says Heidi. "Ian was treated like a star! And each one of us felt so honored to be greeted and welcomed throughout the trip, including by the Delta Air Lines team and by the park rangers and staff at Mount Rushmore.”
"Make-A-Wish succeeded in making Ian feel special, loved, and strong!"
Looking to the Future
Ian returned home with a collection of souvenirs and brimming with stories that he loves to tell. “It’s fun to share our experiences with others, so they know the value that Make-A-Wish is bringing to kids with life-threatening illnesses,” says Heidi.
Due to his liver transplant, medications and monitoring will always be part of Ian’s life, and his wish has helped him continue to see a future full of positive potential.
Heidi shares, “This trip gave our son the confidence to push toward his dreams of being a paleontologist. Make-A-Wish succeeded in making Ian feel special, loved, and strong!”