I wish to meet Lionel Messi
Sammy
12
congenital heart disease
Sammy's Goal to Meet Messi
Sammy is a 12-year-old boy from Tampa Bay living with a heart condition, with one wish to meet his hero—soccer legend, Lionel Messi!
Sammy’s family did not believe he would survive undergoing his 1st emergency open heart surgery at just 8 weeks old, his 2nd at 6 months, or his 3rd by the time he was just 4 years old. Now, at age 12, his heart condition is not as worrisome as it once was. He enjoys playing his favorite sport, soccer, cautious not to overexert himself.
Living with a cardiac condition, Sammy and his parents came from Tampa Bay for his wish day—a day he has repeatedly claimed was the best of his life.
Sammy’s wish day was straight out of any soccer fan’s wildest dream. He got to meet and take a selfie with Messi and the rest of the Inter Miami players, watch the team practice before a big game, take professional headshots, and even participate in a press conference—where the players interviewed him about his favorite sport.
One of the best moments was when Sammy officially signed with Head Coach Javier Mascherano to be an Inter Miami player for the day! He had VIP access to the team’s locker room, where he received a custom jersey signed by the team, sporting his own last name.
We’ve gone through these really horrible times, and now, we’re here to celebrate the lives our kids are growing into.
Sammy's Mother
Through Make-A-Wish, Sammy is assured that he is not alone in his strife by getting to meet other kids with a critical condition like himself.
Sammy even made friends on his wish day. He bonded with other wish kids who also wished to meet Messi! Sammy’s mother claims they rarely meet families who have experienced similar hardship. She found herself crying tears of happiness multiple times throughout her son’s wish day, reflecting on how special this experience is to him, as a kid that faces the emotional turmoil of a critical condition.
Sammy's mother expressed that, while always the life of the party, there were years when Sammy was afraid of just about anything. Life’s excitement was restored by the awesomeness of meeting his greatest inspiration, as well as new friends that make him feel less alone. Rosie plans to continue fostering the connections made with the other wish families they met on Sammy’s wish day.
Make-A-Wish not only granted Sammy’s ultimate wish, but also gave Sammy and his family a steady, lifelong community they can relate to and confide in.
Epic wishes like Sammy’s are possible thanks to help from our national partners: Inter Miami FC, Fanatics, and Royal Caribbean.
Wish Granters: Lisa Andrews & Kathleen McCool
Referred by his mother, Rosie Kerwick
Wish adopted by RIPPA
