I wish to have our home swimming pool repaired
Kale
16
nervous system disorder
Wish Delivers Daily Joy to Kale & Family
That’s the power of a wish granted. Kale’s wish took several years and the generosity of a large community, but it was worth the wait.
Kale’s mom, Misti, knew that something was wrong with her baby boy not too long after he was born. He was too quiet. He wasn’t reaching the developmental benchmarks that her two older kids had reached.
First, she was in denial. She tried to convince herself that everything was okay.
Eventually, she took Kale to the pediatrician to confirm what she already knew in her gut.
From that point on, it took years of trips to the doctors and misdiagnoses before they finally had an answer: Kale had Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a rare nervous system disorder.
Kale is unable to talk or walk, and it’s unclear exactly what he is able to understand, but one thing is crystal clear: Kale LOVES water.
Whenever he has a bad day, the family knows to run him a bath, because the warm water provides him new mobility and the freedom to experience joy and relaxation.
When Kale’s family was looking for a house, they fell in love with one that has an indoor swimming pool. They knew it could change the quality of Kale’s life, each and every day.
But there was a small problem: the pool was in desperate need of restoration.
And the restoration was complicated, time-consuming, and costly.
That’s when Make-A-Wish came upon the scene.
Through the creativity of Kale’s wish-granting volunteers, the generosity of local businesses, and the patience of everyone involved, eventually Kale was able to splash into a newly renovated pool.
It took a village to make the pool restoration come true.
Advantage Fiberglass did the pool resurfacing. American Leak Detection donated their services. Aqua Creek discounted the lift that Kale would need to get in and out of the pool. Bungie Foundation gave funds toward pool equipment. Colvico Inc. donated the electrical work. And Devlin at Pool World in Spokane Valley stepped up to help.
Not to mention the hard work of Kale’s wish-granting volunteers, Todd and Stormy, who managed the intricate process over many months.
Swimming improves each day for Kale and his family.
“It’s life-changing. It’s one of the only things we can do as a family.”
That’s the thing about wishes. They’re not just about hope for the wish child; they offer a transformational experience for the whole family and the community who gets involved.
“Wishes are magical,” said Misti, and we can see that pool magic in Kale’s smile.
