‘All of His Dreams Came True’

In January, The Town of Colonie rallied to make the wish of Kevin Dall come true. Wish mom Amy Dall reflects on her son’s wish.

By Amy Dall

Kevin was born into a body that was not meant for this world; his daily life was filled with struggles. The things most of us take for granted were monumental tasks for Kevin but he faced them with determination and grace. He rose above his burdens and showed the world so with his humor and beautiful smile.

This past summer Kevin developed an infection in his spine, and after many months of treatment he was discharged from the hospital under hospice care. After coming home, Kevin’s doctor made a referral to Make-A-Wish Northeast New York, and soon after wish granters (and staffers) Karen Dominguez and Jessica Liburdi came to the house to meet us.

As was his style, Kevin instantly won them over with his good looks, charm and famous smile. We talked about the things that Kevin loves — scanner radios, buses, bus drivers, firefighters, music — and Kevin played them a video of his favorite music therapist from school.

What soon followed was the best week of Kevin’s life.

It started with a police escort to the Colonie town offices where he received his uniform and was sworn in by our Town’s Supervisor as an honorary radio dispatcher. A tour of the communications department and a chance to use a police radio followed. Then, Kevin was called to a car accident and fire that was happening at the training facility, which he helped to put out.

The next three days, Kevin worked at his school district's bus garage, where he handed out the drivers’ keys and was responsible for the radio checks.

On the last day of the week, another police escort brought Kevin’s friends and family to a party to celebrate him, and thank him for all his hard work. Town Supervisor Peter G. Crummey was there and, after a very touching speech, honored Kevin by presenting him with a town medal.

Then, we all enjoyed a personal concert from that music therapist he bragged to Karen and Jessica about. It was truly a perfect week.

Kevin found humor in the most unlikely places, and gratitude in the simplest of pleasures. He wore his soul on the outside, and was simply a pleasure to be around. I watched with amazement the whole week, as this community not only gave love, but received it back as they experienced Kevin’s pure joy in the gifts they were giving him.

Kevin passed less than a month later.

It was an honor to be Kevin’s mother. His time was short, and his struggles were great, but Make-A-Wish and our community saw to it that all of his dreams came true. I will forever cherish those memories, and my loss is eased by knowing that Kevin’s smile and gratitude lives on in the heart of everyone who met him.

Wish mom Amy Dall is Kevin Dall’s mother.