Inspired to offer pure joy to future wish families
This was a magical night that had taken over a year to plan and no one knew how much this experience would mean, not only to Jaden, but to the entire family!
Traci knew the wish was going to be good, but she never imagined just how much the wish experience would impact the whole family.
Jaden wished to meet the Fresh Beat Band and become the rock star of his dreams, and in 2014, his wish was granted.
There was an electricity in the air that night and watching Jaden experience his wish come true is something Traci Rugg will never forget. “I have never seen or felt such an outpouring of love from people who all came together that night to make Jaden the star of the show.” The overwhelming excitement and pure joy that exuded from her son was something that happens once in a lifetime and it happened when Jaden ran on stage to perform with his heroes, the members of the Fresh Beat Band.
Jaden felt the beat of his favorite music, relished the cheers of the crowd, and when the time was right, he stepped on stage to perform during his favorite song, “Just Like a Rockstar.” He could barely contain his excitement when he got presented with a special Fresh Beat Band jacket on stage.
Traci Rugg with her son Jaden
What you don’t see is the road that the Rugg family traveled to get to the wish. Jaden, who had Down syndrome, was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition at birth and wasn’t expected to live weeks or months, much less years.
It wasn’t always easy. Jaden’s chronic condition caused numerous illnesses, and medical appointments and surgeries were a normal part of his life. All predictions aside, Jaden lived. He lived large and joyfully, and against all odds.
For several years, Traci heard from medical providers that Jaden might qualify to receive a wish, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to accept it because Jaden’s life didn’t seem like it was in imminent danger. After several prods from Jaden’s school nurse, Traci decided to apply to MAW and she’ll always be grateful for the wish that unfolded.
“I have never seen Jaden more excited than he was waiting for his turn to go on stage with the Fresh Beat Band,” she said. “Not only was this an exhilarating experience for him, it was equally as exhilarating for my family to see him live his dream.”
Traci also remembers thinking at the time: “If we ever have an opportunity to do this for another child, we’ll totally do it.”
For wish mom Traci, the impact of Jaden’s wish—especially his JOY—outlived her sweet boy who passed away in 2015. For many years, Jaden’s family had significant expenses tied to his medical care. After he passed, their family decided to donate what would have been spent on medical procedures to Make-A-Wish so other families could experience the same JOY with their own child’s wish, that they did with Jaden.
She is still overwhelmed by the memory that lives on for the whole family. “When it all came together, it was the most thrilling experience we could have imagined. It not only touched our lives in such a positive manner, but I know that his memory lives on in the lives he touched that night as well.
That’s why Traci and her family donate to Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington.
Do you want to give the gift of joy to kids like Jaden?