Ryder, an adventurous and personable 12-year-old from Afton, loves to do anything outdoors. From camping and bike riding, to traveling with his family, he doesn’t shy away from outdoor excursions. Ryder’s decision to go to Hawaii for his wish from Make-A-Wish Wyoming was an easy choice and, of course, he would enjoy some of his favorite outdoor activities there along with several other first-time adventures.

As a baby, Ryder experienced seizures, but for a good majority of his kid life, he was free of them. Then, just last year he had a seizure for the first time in over eight years. This seizure required him to have an EEG that showed abnormalities in his brain. Before he could make it to his next doctor’s appointment, Ryder had several small seizures back to back that sent him straight to the hospital in Afton. From there, and after several more tests, he was referred to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City where the doctor’s removed a baseball sized tumor in his brain.

“When he woke up from surgery, we weren’t sure what to expect. They removed a considerable amount of his brain and doctors weren’t sure what all he would be able to do. Was he going to be able to walk? Would he be able to talk? But he was tough, and he even woke up hungry! He ate a full meal right away and was able to walk. He recovered so quick, it was amazing,” says Ryder’s mom, Erin.

After surgery, Ryder quickly began treatment. He started eight weeks of radiation, five days a week, which he finished the weekend before Christmas 2023. Since the holidays, Ryder has been receiving his chemotherapy and finally got cleared for his Hawaiian wish.

Alongside his parents and brother, Ryder took in all that Hawaii had to offer. He and his brother went ziplining, which they greatly enjoyed and even had tour guides from the Wyoming area! In true Wyoming fashion, they even knew a few of the same people! The family enjoyed trying different foods during their trip, for Ryder the best was the tropical fruit. They visited the fruit stands daily to make sure they always had a fresh supply for him. The family also took a horseback ride on the beach, enjoyed several bike rides, and stayed in Turtle Bay where they swam in the ocean and snorkeled.

“We stayed very busy in Hawaii. We went with the vision of sitting on the beach but ended up finding adventure everywhere. We weren’t sure how Ryder’s energy would be in Hawaii after receiving treatment for months, so we didn’t book many excursions, but once we were there, he was up for everything, so we did it all. It was so amazing,” says Erin.

A special moment for Ryder happened on the beach when a sea turtle came up and poked its face out of the water right up at Ryder. He desperately wanted to see a turtle on his trip and Ryder said, “I didn’t even have to look for one, it came right up to me!” On two occasions, Ryder and his family visited the Polynesian Culture Center; a highlight of Ryder’s trip because he has Samoan siblings, making it a place close to his heart.

Ryder’s wish proved to be more than just an outdoor adventure. According to his mom, it gave him energy she hadn’t seen in months. Even after their family returned home, the memories made and experiences continue to benefit Ryder beyond imagination.  

“Before we left for Hawaii, we thought Ryder would tire out quickly while there. He had quite a rough year and strenuous treatments throughout the winter. When we got there, he had so much energy which has even continued now that we are back home. This trip has revitalized him,” says Erin.

Make-A-Wish Wyoming grants life-changing wishes for kids across the state. You can help restore hope and grant these once in a lifetime wishes, like Ryder’s, by donating to Make-A-Wish Wyoming, volunteering to help grant wishes, or by referring a child with a critical illness. Do it all at wish.org/wyoming.