I wish to publish a children's book
Travis Flores, wish granted 2004
cystic fibrosis
An Open Letter to Make-A-Wish
By: Travis Flores
My name is Travis Flores. I am 30 years old, a Cystic Fibrosis survivor, and 1 of 30 or so people worldwide to have ever had three double-lung transplants, thanks to UCLA Medical Center. Growing up, I faced constant hurdles that I look back on with a humbling sense of strength, as many chronically ill people come to do in their own time. It's been a rough journey, full of bumps and unexpected delays and detours, but I am grateful for my experiences because I've found that when shared, they help people today.
There have been many stand-out, incredible, fun, chaotic memories in my life. Still, in typical fashion, I want to share my life-changing experiences that have come to fruition thanks to Make-A-Wish.
It was April 2004. I'd worked on my wish for nearly a year, knowing that I would be giving back to the organization as a result. My wish to publish a children's book came from meeting other individuals battling Cystic Fibrosis in the hospital. There are few things scarier than seeing a potentially negative version of your future; sicker, more time away from family & friends, and fewer treatment options to help the incurable disease. And all of this before I had reached double-digits. Writing poems and short stories was an outlet for me. I found that by writing a story of perseverance, "the Spider Who Never Gave Up!" then sharing it with the other children, they began to change their perspectives, becoming more positive, eager to fight, and more proactive in their care.
Publishing that short story in the form of a children's book, then donating proceeds to charities that I cared deeply for was my actual Make-A-Wish, and it was the beginning of my fantastic relationship with the organization. What I didn't expect, however, was for that experience to drive the rest of my life's purpose forward. I found myself touring the country, sharing my personal story, the book, and the impact of Make-A-Wish with thousands of people. I discovered that I felt healthier and less focused on the effects of my illness than I had before the book was published.
These events resulted in an unexpected life-changing experience: dreaming of a future rather than fear it. So often, even the healthiest of individuals can feel anxious about tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. Add a chronic, progressive illness to that worry, and it can quickly spiral into a nightmare that freezes you in a moment, inhibiting you from living your life. Make-A-Wish and my wish experience granted me the ability to see past, around, and through bad situations and toward an entire potential future that was good. After my book tour, I started college at 16 and had a master's degree from New York University by 22 in fundraising & grant-making. I moved to Los Angeles to continue pursuing all of my goals after graduation. Make-A-Wish healed my spirit, gave me hope, and it's brought me through three organ transplants, and as of 2 weeks ago, COVID19.
The third life-changing lesson that my wish brought was a sense of acceptance so that I felt I could continue to do what I loved.
In 2019, I made a tough decision to come out as gay on a television show, making me the first to do so in that particular network's history. I was proud, but I was nervous. My partner had already been to Make-A-Wish events, which he loved, but wasn’t introduced as my partner prior to the TV airing because I wasn’t ready. My family had accepted me. My friends, too. And I knew the majority of the people who'd followed me would as well, and for each person who didn't, I had dozens from the LGBTQ+ communities that would.
My nerves were rooted in that I didn't know for sure how my announcement would affect the organizations that I'd come to love over many years. It's not that I had any indication that people within the charitable sector would oust me. I always felt accepted by the charities I had worked with; otherwise, I wouldn't have used my voice to help their missions. It's just that our country was and continues to be learning how to love and accept all human-beings, in whatever form they choose. So, coming out meant that some individuals wouldn’t be accepting of me, which I feared would translate into not accepting the organizations I speak for.
That's not what happened at all.
Make-A-Wish was the first organization, among many, to congratulate me on this announcement on their public profiles. They followed that up by inviting me to several events to speak and celebrate my 15th wish anniversary. I felt so loved, accepted, and included more than ever. It inspired me to continue talking about that part of my life in the media, which has helped me better understand myself as a result.
I am the happiest version of myself that I've been in my 30 years, doing what I love, with the person I love, as the most authentic form of me.
Two years later, and the organization is sharing stories of other wish children from the LGBTQ+ communities. They are proud of us. A lot of corporations and nonprofits are also showing their support this June, which is incredible. Make-A-Wish's support doesn't end in June, however. The relationships they develop with each child with a wish granted are unique, close to the individual chapters across the U.S. and the national office. Their support continues to be unbound by the opinions of those in a region, political party, or religious affiliation, and it does not expire with time.
My story continues through every obstacle with light, hope, and a rainbow of colors thanks to a life mission set forth by Make-A-Wish. Thank you, Make-A-Wish, for standing by me, with me, and in support of my LGBTQ+ community.
-Travis