"I wish to go to the Orlando Theme Parks!"
Jude
7
heart transplant
Jude's Theme Park Wish
Like most other nine-year-olds, Jude is rambunctious, red-headed, and raring to go! He is always on the move and ready to go on an adventure. His favorite things include theme parks and animals of every kind—including dinosaurs!
Unfortunately, although Jude’s spirit longed to be on the go, his heart had other ideas.
Jude was born with a condition called restrictive cardiomyopathy, a disease that causes a stiffening of the heart muscles. Because the ventricles of the heart aren’t flexible, they are unable to pump blood efficiently.
As a result, this once-active boy was often too exhausted and out of breath and live life to the fullest.
Once Jude received a heart transplant, he also received a new lease on life. Fiery and full of energy, Jude got a chance to have his wish fulfilled and learn how to be a kid again
When it came time to select his wish, the choice was clear. Jude wanted nothing more than to visit Orlando’s top theme parks with his family.
Accompanied by his mom, dad, and step-dad, Jude got to visit four theme parks in one whirlwind of a week.
The cast members at Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld ensured that Jude got a true VIP experience each day, from a meet-and-greet with a velociraptor to a behind-the-scenes play session with live penguins.
In addition to being able to skip to the front of the line, Jude was instantly recognizable to everyone he met as a Wish Kid.
Mom Jennifer shared how much Jude loved all the attention he received during the week. “Everybody wanted to talk to him. It made him feel so special[…]. He felt like a really cool kid!”
But even after a long day at the park, there was more fun and excitement in store. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jude was able to see all kinds of animals—such as giraffes, rhinos, and deer—from their private balcony. The family loved being able to watch the wildlife up close each morning right from their hotel room!
Most Wish families don’t have a frame of reference for their experience with Make-A-Wish. But for Jude’s mom, Jennifer, things felt very familiar.
Also diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy, Jennifer underwent a heart transplant herself when she was 15 years old. Her doctor connected her with Make-A-Wish 20 years ago and she was granted a wish of her own: a shopping spree in New York City.
Getting to relax and not have to worry about doctor’s appointments was “life-changing,” Jennifer says. Being able to enjoy being a teenager gave her a new sense of hope, but the experience—as excellent as it was—was nothing compared to the joy of seeing it through her own child’s eyes.
“I look back and think, ‘Yeah, I had a great time.’ But seeing my child go through it? It was 1,000 times better for me. There are almost no words.
After years of being told “no,” Jude’s wish gave him the freedom to do whatever he wanted with no limitations. Getting the chance to be a kid again in such a life-changing way gave him a bit of control in an otherwise uncontrollable situation.
“He was truly living his best life,” his mom said. “[He could] buy whatever he wanted, eat whatever he wanted. He didn’t have a care in the world when he was on his wish trip.”
For his family, Jude’s experience with Make-A-Wish has made a world of difference. “We [got] to see our child’s life transform back to what it was before he was sick,” said Jennifer. “Make-A-Wish has changed our lives.”
Months later, Jude is doing amazing and lists his week in Orlando as one of the best parts of his life. Learning how to be a kid again with his entire family in tow, was a positive transition into his new future.
Jude’s Wish was more than just a fun family vacation. Seeing him thrive and enjoy normal childhood activities has breathed new life into his entire family. Every day, Make-A-Wish shines a ray of hope into the lives of children just like Jude. But we can’t do it alone.
You can help us transform the lives of critically ill children and their families. When you donate your financial support, attend an event, or volunteer, we all win. Contact Make-A-Wish Central and North Florida today for more information or visit cnfl.wish.org.
