Sean's Wish

The trip was many years ago (2000) and we still pull out the album and get great joy from his Wish coming true! I wrote this not long after we returned:

Sean has been diagnosed with SDS for almost 3 years now. He just recently turned 4 and we never thought we would be eligible for Make-A-Wish, even though we know the seriousness of the disease. It is hard to believe that your child has a potentially fatal illness. Mere words cannot describe the ache in you have in your heart knowing that you have a child with a potentially fatal illness.

In April of 2000, Sean and his brother Joseph (who also has SDS), had bone marrow biopsies. Both boys had an abnormal percentage of blasts in their marrow. Knowing that SDS can be considered a preleukemic syndrome, these results prompted us to contact Make A Wish. We had mixed emotions about it all. Part of us wanted desperately to hear that our children didn't have a life threatening illness and that they did not qualify for a Wish, while the other part of us wanted to see them get what they wished for most. The boys doctors talked to the MAW people and they each were approved for receiving a wish.

Sean only wanted one thing: to meet Steve from Blue's Clues. Once he found out he was going to meet Steve, he started making big plans. His first comment upon hearing the news was, "Can I wear my Steve shirt, my Steve socks, my Steve pants and my Steve shoes when I meet Steve?" He talked about flying an airplane and asked if daddy was going to be the pilot. Each day brought a new twist on the way it would happen. Once we found out we were going to New York City to meet Steve, he and his older brother, Matthew, wanted to see the Statue of Liberty, too. The trip turned out to be better than they ever dreamed.

A stretch limo picked us up at 6 am Saturday morning to bring us to the airport. They enjoted the flight to New York City. In fact, whn we landed, Joseph yelled, "Yeah! New York City!" Another limo brought us to our hotel. The doorman at the hotel was sucha nice man. His name was Joseph. The boys were very excited about their first taxi cab ride and wanted to hail the cab themselves. Joseph went up to the corner and talked to a cab driver that was waiting there. The boys didn't have a clue. They all stood at the curb waving their arms yelling, "Taxi! Taxi!" Oh, to see the look on their faces when the cab driver stopped moments later! We spent Saturday afternoon at the Bronx Zoo.

Sunday was the big day to meet Steve! Sean made sure his whole wardrobe was just right. We rode in another limo to Serendipity Restaurant where we would meet Steve for lunch. We were brought upstairs to a table full of Blue's Clues toys for all three of our boys. Steve came up the stairs and asked Sean, "Are you Sean?" Sean managed to squeek out "yes" He was im awe to see the real Steve. Steve played with Sean for quite a while, drawing, coloring and playing with play dough. Sean woudl stop and play for a while and then would stop and stare at Steve for a few moments before starting to play again. When it came tiem to order, Steve said, "I'll have what he is having" while pointing to Sean. The boys split a frozen hot chocolate (a Serendipity specialty) and played a bit more with Steve. Blue even called Sean on Steve's cell phone and each of the boys talked to her. After two hours, it was time to leave. We said our good-byes and headed to the limo loaded down with Blue's Clues memorabilia.

We did see the Statue of Liberty the next day. By this time, Sean was complaining of being tired and not feeling well. He said his tummy hurt. By the time we got to the airport he was running a fever and not looking well. We arrived at the airport to find that our flight was cancelled and we were booked on a flight later that night. Sean began having stomach problems and crying, but we made it home safely. It was a reminder of the reality of his illness amidst the glorious wish trip and it made us more grateful that we were able to go to New York City.

When asked what the favorite pat ofhis trip is, Sean Says, "Meeting Steve and playing play dough" He also remembers that Steve ate the same thing as he did and says, "Steve is my Friend" He doesn't remember being tired or getting sick, he only remmebers meeting Steve, going to the zoo and seeingt he Statue of Liberty. No matter what the future brings we will always have the memories of his special wish. We would like to thank Make A Wish, Steve and all those who made his dream come true. We will always treasure these memories. Thank you for letting me share Sean's wish with all of you.