I wish to have a swimming pool

Cheyenne

15

nervous system disorder

Wish kid Cheyenne

A Wish Worth the Wait

The activities that packed Cheyenne’s fun-filled day were a ruse in order to complete the 15-year-old’s wish – a new above-ground swimming pool – by the time she got back to her Cobleskill 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 July 1 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, 8-year-old sister Danica and family friend and teacher Rhea 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.
Amber
Cheyenne's Mom

“It will be something to do together – family time,” 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. Special thanks go out to the Cobleskill and Middleburgh volunteer fire departments and Fred’s Septic.