In 2021 we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the first wish ever granted in Kentucky! At 17, Chris wished to join a National Geographic photographer on location. His wish took him to the wilderness of British Columbia, Canada, to learn from one of the best photographers in the world.
“I can vividly remember all the details about the entire process from the moment my doctor recommended the foundation to my parents to the moment I returned home from my wish with a renewed sense of happiness and hope,” reflected Chris.
During his wish, Chris arrived by seaplane onto a floating lodge where he spent the next few days photographing glaciers, grizzly bears, and killer whales. It was an experience that changed his life. But the best part wasn't the wildlife. It was being able to experience his wish with his dad.
“I think he was just as excited as me, but I think he was most excited about the opportunity to have this special time with his son,” reflected Chris. “My parents raised me to try and live as normal of a life as possible, yet, no matter how hard I tried, my days were still filled with hours of treatments, 50+ pills a day, hospitalizations, and other physical and mental hurdles. The moment I stepped off that seaplane, all those moments of pain and angst faded away as if I had been transported to my own personal heaven for a few days.”
Doctors told Chris’ parents he would likely live to be just six years old. Chris recently celebrated his 38th birthday and is now married with two daughters of his own. He said his wish played an integral role in shaping the man he is today.
“Wishes are not just a singular moment in time for children. These wishes are truly everlasting. They are ingrained in every cell of our body; ironically, much like the illnesses, we have inside. These wishes give us hope, inspiration, and lasting impact in the way that we see life and want to live our life. Once you have seen heaven, well, your life is never the same. You appreciate even more all that the world has to offer. You find beauty in the smallest things. And boy, was there a lot of beauty on that trip.”
