Tate was born without a left ventricle. Like many kids with congenital heart disease, he underwent a series of surgeries to make his heart work. The first was a few days after he was born; the next was a few months later, and then after a few years, he needed a third.

There were additional complications. Tate had a stroke and is developmentally delayed because of it. He’s also neurodivergent and has some anxiety when he goes to the doctor. He’s been there so many times.

Tate’s siblings go with him to the doctor’s office so that he feels supported, safe, and calm. Tate really loves his siblings.

For his wish, Tate picked Disneyland. He loves vacations, hotels, food, and swimming. His mother, Lisa, showed Tate a video of Disney and he was fascinated. She said you are able to pick out a Make-A-Wish and Tate said “Disneyland.”

Tate went on his wish on his birthday, so the airline crew brought him to the front of the craft and everyone on board sang “Happy Birthday” to the smiling kid.  The family stayed at the Grand Californian, which is a stone’s throw from Disneyland, a good location for a family with two very young kids. The hotel has three connecting pools, and guests can order room service waffles in the shape of Mickey Mouse. Tate had Mickey waffles every morning.

Some of the highlights of his time at Disneyland included riding the Chip and Dale’s Gadget Coaster in Toontown and the Winnie the Pooh ride. One day, the family learned about a “Storyteller’s Brunch.” It’s a mid-afternoon meal where guests can interact with Disney characters including Mickey, Goofy, Dale, and Chip. They stopped by on a whim, but the experience turned out to be a highlight.

They went on the Cars ride, to the Avengers Campus, and on countless roller coasters. One day, they stopped into Disneyland’s Wish Lounge, a place where wish kids and their families can rest and recuperate. They took a few moments to recharge and snack while watching Bluey before heading back out into the park. They rode the rides until the park closed, and then they shopped until the stores closed.

On their last full day, Tate and his family decided to spend it swimming.  It was such a beautiful and relaxing day. Afterwards, they went out for dinner at Benihana.

After his final breakfast of Mickey waffles, Tate and his family checked out of the hotel, but they weren’t headed to the airport just yet. They met up with Tate’s San Diego cousins, aunt, and uncle for tacos.

“It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Lisa said. “They let you skip the lines. It was magical. The characters gave him all sorts of extra attention. Nobody felt left out. It was for the whole family. Every single kid looked the happiest.”

“Everything felt thoughtfully planned and smooth, which allowed us to just be present and enjoy time together. Watching Tate feel confident, excited, and completely in the moment was such a gift for us as parents.”