Jude's Gatlinburg, Tennessee Wish
Like most three-year-olds, Jude is a rambunctious boy who is always on the run. “He just loves outdoor play. The more dangerous, the better!” says his mom, Elizabeth. “He’s all over the place [...] active, active, active.”
Most parents have a difficult time keeping up with their toddlers, but in 2021, Jude’s seemingly boundless energy started to wane.
“He started having tremors,” his mom shared. “He also developed difficulty walking. His balance was off and he would fall down all the time. [...] It got to a point where he couldn’t walk properly anymore. [...] We were carrying him constantly.”
Scans revealed a neuroblastoma—a type of tumor—on Jude’s spine. While a neuroblastoma is worrisome enough by itself, this one was even more concerning. The tumor triggered Jude’s immune system to start attacking his nervous system, a condition known as opsoclonus myoclonus ataxia syndrome (OMAS).
“[OMAS] is actually our main ongoing problem,” Elizabeth says. “Because his immune system, with any triggers, attacks the motor center in his brain. When you hear of ‘paraspinal,’ you automatically think, ‘Okay, he’s having trouble walking because it’s at the spine,’ but it wasn’t that at all.”
Thankfully, doctors were able to successfully remove most of Jude’s tumor, and after eight rounds of chemotherapy, he is now considered in remission.
Yet despite the incredible physical improvements, Jude is still dealing with the effects of OMAS. His neurological issues have left him unable to communicate and he also suffers from severe social anxiety.
As a Registered Nurse, Elizabeth had heard about Make-A-Wish, so she was already aware that a wish could give her child—and their family—a break from the various medical appointments.
“We knew that he likes to play outside,” she recalls. “He also likes to swim and he likes the colder temperatures, he runs around like it’s nothing!”
For Jude’s wish, a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee sounded like the perfect choice!
Because Jude has issues being in large crowds, having a secluded place to relax and recharge was important for the entire family. Jude, his parents, and his three siblings were able to enjoy some much-needed family time in a cozy mountain cabin.
Jude made time for a dip in the heated pool daily and the family loved playing in the game room and relaxing in the movie room at the end of a long day.
But there was also plenty of time to get out and explore everything Gatlinburg has to offer.
The family went snow tubing, visited Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, and Jude loved climbing on the play structures at Anakeesta Mountaintop Park. And of course, no trip would be complete without a stop at a candy store!
Throughout Jude’s treatment, he had to undergo lots of doctor’s visits in strange, new places. Even in remission, he gets scans every three months to monitor the residual tumor and receives immunoglobulin treatments every month.
But his wish experience allowed Jude to just take a break from all of that.
“Here at the house, we have the hustle and bustle of everyday life,” Elizabeth said. “Whereas [in Gatlinburg] it was only about us. [...] Jude gets kind of robbed of being a kid. Jude got to be a kid and not worry. It provided an opportunity for everybody to heal a little bit and just appreciate each other."
Although Jude has a long road ahead of him, his prognosis is good. And what’s more, he has the love and support of his family to see him through.
Make-A-Wish is focused on the child’s experience, but it isn’t just our wish kids that benefit. More than 90% of wish alumni say their wish experience helped bring their families closer together.
What Elizabeth cherishes most about their trip wasn’t just seeing Jude’s happiness, but being able to escape from reality and enjoy being a family together without the demands of everyday life.
“We had the best time,” she says. “We didn’t have to worry about a thing.”
Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida makes a world of difference to children like Jude and their families. If you’re looking for a way to make a difference in your community, contact our office today to learn more about volunteering, donating, or attending an event.
