The Transformative Power of a Wish: Valentina’s Story
Valentina is a true girly girl, according to her parents. She loves playing dress-up in her pink and purple princess outfits, painting, and spending time with her friends. But when Valentina was diagnosed with a blood disorder, everything she loved came to a halt.
Amid a difficult stretch of treatments and desperate to return to school and see her friends again, Make-A-Wish entered her world.
“We were able to use the wish as a means of refocusing her on something positive. It gave her something to look forward to and distracted her from treatment,” said Valentina’s mom, Michelle.
The Power of Anticipation
To help Valentina start imagining what her wish could be, her parents turned to YouTube. As soon as they began showing her videos of other children’s wishes, Valentina became fascinated with the idea of staying at Give Kids the World Village, an inclusive and accessible resort in Orlando designed especially for wish kids and wish-granting organizations. She was captivated by the colorful houses, the idea of ice cream for breakfast, and being so close to the Happiest Place on Earth: Walt Disney World!
From dreaming about her wish to receiving her trip itinerary in the mail, Valentina found joy during a time that was otherwise dark and isolating.
And she’s not alone—9 out of 10 medical providers have observed that families experience traumatic stress due to their child’s critical illness, but that a wish can help alleviate feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and depression.
Why Anticipation Matters
Anticipating a wish isn’t just exciting—it’s clinically impactful. Research shows that looking forward to a positive experience can:
- Reduce anxiety and traumatic stress
- Improve emotional well-being
- Increase compliance with treatment plans
- That’s why many physicians include wishes as part of holistic care strategies.
A Life-Changing Experience
The anticipation of Valentina’s wish trip gave her plenty of time to daydream and build high expectations, but her family said the experience was everything she hoped for and more.
Just like before she got sick, she dressed in her favorite princess outfits to explore the parks and meet her beloved characters. On their last day, Valentina even felt brave enough to ride one of the bigger coasters, something not even her older sister dared to do!
Beyond the costumes, the ice cream, and the rides, Valentina’s wish was life-changing. It allowed her entire family to begin a new chapter, which Dr. Jamie Flerlage says many families can relate to:
“It’s a celebration, like lighting a candle and letting it go. A wish can really help families move past the trauma, move past the hard times, and move into the future.”