Growing up, Charlie knew that he was different, but he never let his condition hold him back. He has good days and bad days – on his bad days he manages through them with incredible perseverance and does not change his outlook on life, and on his good days he always surpasses our expectations. It has not been easy for Charlie, but I have never heard him complain. It’s been over a year since he made a visit to the hospital and he is doing well. 

Charlie’s favorite hobby is flying – he has been interested in planes since he was a toddler and then hooked at the age of 14 when he took his first lesson. He used to ask us to drive him to the airport so he could look out the window to see the airplanes. Little did we know he would be learning to fly an airplane at 14 and making it his goal to get his private pilot’s license by 17, which he is positioned to achieve. 

While there have been some obstacles created by his medical issues, they have not stopped him from doing anything he wants to do, including practicing to be a pilot which is where his wish comes in.

Charlie’s Aunt Eileen started the Make-A-Wish journey and our Make-A-Wish team has been no less than Awesome-Squared. Charlie’s wish was for a complete makeover for his room, with the focal point to create an airplane cockpit simulation area. The room came out amazing, way above and beyond Charlie’s expectations and ours as well. Colors, fabrics and furniture all ties in with his theme. And, with the new yoke, the multiple aligned monitors, the gauges and all the accessories, you have blended thrills and adventure into the walls and furniture. That is special. We can hear him laughing while playing online with his friends. Charlie has taken it to a new level, playing an online game where he is actually running a virtual airport. He has done just about every job in the airport and has other gamers working for him and they do everything in flight planning including wind and fuel calculations, flight times and runway selection using the real data from real airports. And while this is fun, he is learning much of what is necessary to become a pilot. In essence, Make-A-Wish gave him fun and education in one package. 

We cannot thank you enough for everything you've done for our son. From the painting, to the new furniture and new aviation equipment we could not have imagined how perfect his room would become. It is a wish we will never forget. Your kindness and hard work truly paid off. Our family is truly blessed by the Make-A-Wish Foundation and we can’t think of a better way to express our gratitude than by certainly paying it forward.