Taylor's wish to give back to the music therapy program

I was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder known as Aplastic Anemia on April 5th, 2021. I learned quickly that my one in a million diagnosis was extremely severe, as it caused my white blood cells to destroy my bone marrow cells. This destruction led to the death of nearly every single blood cell in my body. A life without blood is a life that is impossible to live, so my family and I sought treatment quickly. We found that treatment within my younger sister Alexis when we discovered that she and I are 100% matched in bone marrow cells, meaning that she could become my bone marrow donor and save my life.

After my extensive journey through getting chemotherapy, receiving my bone marrow transplant, and quarantining in my house for over a year, I finally had time to think about Make-A-Wish. While I was in-patient at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) after my transplant on June 4th, 2021, I participated in music therapy. Connecting to music and learning how to play the guitar was one of the few things that brought me joy during such a difficult time. Music gave me an outlet to vent all my frustrations, worries, and sadness. It also gave me an outlet for hope, strength, and perseverance. After discussing ideas with my Wish Coordinator Kristen, I realized that I wanted to give back to the music therapy program at CHOA.

Make-A-Wish Georgia worked immediately to create my Wish. After months of discussion, we created Taylor’s Music Mover, a mobile cart adorned with instruments, recording equipment, and digital art tools for patients to create their own music videos or album art. Having lived in the quarantine wing of the hospital, I was not given the same opportunities that other music therapy patients had. During the creation of Taylor’s Music Mover, I ensured that the cart could be sanitized and moved to any wing of the hospital, for all patients to utilize. We delivered Taylor’s Music Mover to CHOA on June 4th, 2025, the fourth anniversary of my transplant.

Make-A-Wish is important to me because it showed me that I was more than just a “sick kid”. I am a fighter, a survivor, and an advocate for rare diseases and the need for blood and marrow donation. Without Make-A-Wish, I never would have had the opportunity to give back to a program that meant so much to me, and I never would have been able to help future music therapy patients. Fulfilling my Make-A-Wish helped me heal, and turn my disorder into something positive.

When I play my guitar now, I think about the children in music therapy. I remember what it felt like to be in their position, and I am so thankful to Make-A-Wish, and the generous donors who support the foundation, for providing me with an opportunity to help my fellow patients.