Ben's Sport Court Wish
He’s always eager to give a friendly fist bump, a high five or a wave; his friendliness earned him the nickname “The Mayor” from his mom, Lindsay, at a very young age. Ben has never let life slow him down despite being diagnosed with a congenital heart condition before he was born. His positive attitude has helped him make fast friends with his cardiologists, nurses and physical therapists.
In 2019, Ben’s step-mom, Susan, referred him to Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia. Her son had received a wish before he passed away, and she knew first-hand the powerful impact her son’s wish had for him and his family. She wanted Ben to experience the power of a wish, too.
The only thing Ben enjoys more than meeting people is playing basketball and watching University of Virginia’s basketball team. He loves shooting hoops so much that his occupational, speech and physical therapists all use shooting hoops as a reward when he does well in his therapy appointments. Though Ben is very limited in his verbal communication, his parents and medical team knew immediately what would bring Ben the most happiness: a sport court so he could play basketball just a few steps from his back door.
The day of Ben’s wish celebration, cars filled with members of Ben’s medical team, including Ben’s cardiologist, Make-A-Wish supporters, volunteers, police officers and fire fighters. The UVA Chi Omegas also joined in the car parade to celebrate Ben, which was extra special for Ben’s mom, a Chi Omega herself!
After being in strict quarantine because of Ben’s fragile health, seeing so many come to celebrate him from a distance was amazing. “Lately life has been like the Wizard of Oz. Everything has been in black and white for the past 6 months, but the day of Ben’s wish… everything went to color.” Ben’s mom, Lindsay, shared that watching her son wave from the porch to all who came to celebrate him was especially fitting. “The Mayor waving to all his adoring subjects,” she laughed.
Ben’s family was so touched by all who supported their family through Ben’s wish. From in-kind donations from construction companies to the extended community who came together to ensure Ben knows just how special he is, Ben’s wish was a true community effort from start to finish.
Ben’s sport court wish has meant so much to Ben, his family and their community. The sport court is his favorite place to be, especially since it is painted in UVA colors. Ben is still working hard on his language skills, but almost immediately after his wish was granted, he began starting every morning by saying, “basketball hoop!” The sport court has had a huge impact physically because it allows him to be active outside and his therapists are able to use playing on the court as a reward during therapy appointments, but it’s had a tremendous emotional impact, too.
“While I was working on Ben’s wish during COVID-19, his family was a bright light in such an uncertain time for me,” shared Carly, Ben’s wish specialist. “We worked very closely together for several months and they were always so positive and thankful for everything that our chapter was doing to make Ben’s wish come true. I will always remember that this wish was one where I got to witness that the power of a wish goes beyond the wish child’s joy. It trickles through the family, and into the community and beyond.”
For Ben and his family, the magic of the wish is only just beginning. After the local news produced a story about Ben’s wish, showcasing his UVA-themed sport court and his love for basketball, representatives from the University reached out to have the mascot and the university president come play for Ben on his new sport court.
“I mean, it’s just incredible. He’s been through so much,” shared Ben’s mom. “As a parent to see the joy on his face, it’s indescribable. This wish is not just life-changing for Ben, but for the whole family. It’s given our whole family so much hope in a hopeless time. His wish has already had such a huge impact.”
Ben’s family shared that they are forever changed through experiencing Ben’s wish, and that they know they are now part of the Make-A-Wish family forever.
“This connection is forever,” shared Ben’s mom. “Ben’s stepmom, who is a wish mom herself, told us that the wish is one thing, but that we’ll be connected to these people and this organization for the rest of our lives.”