Johnny’s Law Enforcement Wish Commands a Bright Future

Johnny was born a fighter.

Diagnosed with congenital heart disease, Johnny had his first surgery as a one-month-old baby. Unable to eat, months were spent in the hospital where he also underwent surgeries two and three.

“The second one, they put him in a medical-induced coma,” Johnny’s mom, Bobbi, said. “That one was the hardest, cause they said, ‘we don’t know if he’s going to make it through the night, call your family.’” Yet Johnny survived, against the odds. Doctors remarked, “he shouldn’t be here,” given the circumstances.

“He’s amazing,” said Bobbi, who unfathomably faced a similar medical journey with Johnny’s sister Jennie, who was born with the same heart defect. Jennie received her wish to be a marine biologist as Johnny anticipated his wish to be a law enforcement officer.

While Johnny’s dream job was to be a police officer, he worried his critical illness would keep him from ever wearing a badge. Thanks to his wish, Johnny’s outlook changed: “I now have the hope where I can actually do law enforcement, and if I can’t, then I can do something else with it,” Johnny said.

In describing Make-A-Wish, Bobbi said: “… it really does help them know they’re special. And it also gives them the connection that they need to feel like, yeah, I can do that.”

Johnny, who is already outgoing, embraced his action-packed wish. Highlights included riding with a state trooper, running “rookies” through push-up drills, visiting the FBI, shadowing at a 911 call center and K-9 training with Officer Rob. The community celebrated Johnny at a local park, where a fellow wish family showed support with a sticker-covered “believe you can” poster that hangs in his room.

The police department that granted his wish shared on their Facebook page: “Today was a very special day for Johnny and our entire agency. We hope Johnny walked away from his experience proud to be apart [sic] of the law enforcement family.”

Johnny was sworn in with his local Law Enforcmenet Academy and joined by Linda Pauling, whose son Chris’ wish to be a police officer inspired the founding of Make-A-Wish.

“It brought up a lot of memories of total happiness, of total joy to see this little boy, Johnny,” said Linda. “To know the joy that Chris felt, I know Johnny feels it, too.”

Johnny wants to take a high school criminal justice prep class alongside marching band, his favorite school activity. The future is bright for Johnny – and with renewed hope from his wish – he plans to pursue law enforcement to work as a K-9 handler.

“I loved it,” Johnny said of his wish experience. “It was amazing.”

Wish Impact – Johnny’s Family is Not Alone

As Johnny experienced, a wish is not simply a fleeting gift. In the fight against critical illness, each wish serves as a catalyst for renewed strength and encouragement for every child and family on their medical journey and throughout their entire lives. It is a significant turning point that opens the door to exciting possibilities.

According to the 2022 Wish Impact Study:

• 9 out of 10 wish alumni say their wish made them feel more confident and hopeful for the future
• 8 out of 10 wish parents saw that the wish experience gave their child a stronger sense of empowerment.
• 9 out of 10 medical providers say the wish experience has a positive impact on, and even improves, a child's physical well-being and overall quality of life.