COBLESKILL, New York (July 1, 2020) –The activities that packed Cheyenne Lindsey’s fun-filled day away from home Wednesday were a ruse in order to complete the 15-year-old’s wish – a new above-ground swimming pool–by the time she got home.
But she says she figured it out.
“I knew it!” the teen squealed in delight as she entered her backyard, where she was greeted by cheering socially distanced family members, a DJ and confetti cannons.
Cheyenne’s wish is the first granted by Make-A-Wish Northeast New York since mid-March and the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
The day included a trip to Adirondack Animal Land in Vails Mills, lunch and shopping. Cheyenne, mom Amber Slater, 8-year-old sister Danica Slater and family friend and teacher Rhea Loika returned to see not just a backyard pool, but a wish that will make a difference in the lives of Cheyenne, who has a nervous system disorder and cerebral palsy, and her family.
“It will be something to do together –family time,” wish mom Amber said. “Hopefully, it will also be therapy. It will be good for her legs.”
Most travel and other select wishes are presently on hold per the directive of Make-A-Wish® America, affecting 50 wishes in the local chapter alone. However, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York and other chapters across the country are still able to grant certain wishes, such as Cheyenne’s for a pool.
“While many of our wishes are on hold, we have never stopped working to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses,” said William C. Trigg, III, CEO of Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. “We are delighted to grant Cheyenne’s wish, and look forward to the day we can grant the wishes of all the children we serve in our 15-county chapter.”
Volunteers James Cole and Ray Gawlak served as the wish granters.
About Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with critical medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Make-A-Wish Northeast New York serves the 15 counties comprising the 518 and 838 area codes. The chapter grants 90-100 wishes each year, and has granted more than 1,950 wishes since 1987. For more information about Make-A-Wish, visit www.neny.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.