Meet wish kid Adin, a 19-year-old boy who loves watching sports, music, and computers. Before a needed surgery on his brain caused a loss of his walking motor skills, Adin could be found helping around the house with yard work and washing the family cars. He also had plans to attend college in California and had already been accepted. A formerly independent teen was now totally dependent on others.

Adin is an avid collector of Pokémon and Stitch cards and is particularly adept when it comes to computer science and technology. He also possesses a love for fresh sushi and live concerts.

An ardent Pittsburg Steelers fan, Adin’s wish was to go to the Super Bowl. In a moving act of selflessness, our chapter was able to grant Adin’s wish because of fellow wish kid TJ, who has congenital heart disease. TJ’s wish? To “wish it forward” and help grant another wish kid’s wish. Thanks to TJ’s special request and with the help of corporate sponsor, Truist, and NFL great (and TJ’s dad), Greg Olsen, both wish kids would see their wishes come true. They all participated in an epic surprise wish reveal for Adin, chock full of powerful moments, which you can view here.

Adin’s wish did a lot more than just take Adin and his parents to Arizona to see Super Bowl LVII, the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, live and in-person. The entire wish trip, filled with many additional once-in-a-lifetime activities built-in, was an unforgettable experience for the entire family, but the real magic was happening inside Adin. The wish experience inspired Adin to work hard to get out of his wheelchair and to begin walking with assistance by the time his trip rolled around. Adin’s determination and hard work continued even after his wish trip, and TJ and Adin’s story exemplifies how, together, we create life-changing wishes for local wish kids with critical illnesses - and why we work so hard to grant hope every day.