I’m feeling a great deal of mixed emotions tonight as I write this entry. Lizze and I finally sat down today and began the application process to have Gavin get a wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

One of Gavin’s specialists have been encouraging me to do this but I hadn’t until today. 

During the separation, things were really hard and I was struggling to keep the boys above water. When Lizze moved back home, we began putting our lives back together and I still hadn’t applied. 

The truth is that I was struggling with the idea of this whole thing because for Gavin to qualify, it means that things are pretty bad for him. It forces me to face his mortality and that’s something I really struggle with. 

Below is the basic information about the application process. I received this via email today. 

Thank you for your inquiry into Make-A-Wish.  Our mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Make-A-Wish has specific medical guidelines and eligibility requirements. Our criteria states that it is not the disease or condition itself that qualifies the child, but the fact that, at the time of referral, the disease or condition has placed the child’s life in jeopardy.  We work individually with each child’s specialist to determine whether a child’s condition will qualify for a wish. Please discuss our eligibility requirements (below) with the child’s specialist (one they see on a regular basis for their life-threatening condition) before starting the referral process.

Eligibility Requirements:
1. The child must be between the age of 2 ½ and 18. (Must be referred prior to their 18th birthday)
2. Currently have a life-threatening medical condition.
3. Have not been previously granted a wish from Make-A-Wish or any other major wish granting organization.

Once you have spoken with your child’s physician and they feel that your child’s condition meets our medical guidelines please respond with the following information:
• Child’s name
• Child’s DOB
• Child’s medical conditions
• Current life-threatening complications
• Child’s treating physician and their location
• Child’s parent/legal guardian name and contact number

If you are not a family member or a medical professional, please be sure the child’s family is aware of your inquiry and provide the above information to the parents or guardians of the child.

If the child’s condition does not look like he or she will meet this criterion, please let us know and we can provide a list of other organizations which may be able to assist.

Lizze and I sat down today, filled out the inquiry form online and got the ball rolling. We heard back right away with instructions on how to proceed. 

It’s important to note that we’re fairly certain that Gavin will qualify. His immunologist has help several of her less severe patients get a wish granted and believes that Gavin absolutely qualifies. His compromised immune system is only one of several life threatening conditions he lives with. 

We’ve spoken to Gavin about this and I don’t think he understands. 

We would love for him to be able to go to Lego and spend some time there because Legos are his favorite thing.  He just says that he doesn’t want to travel. 

I think we just have to take this one step at a time. This has to be all about Gavin. 

I’m so happy that he may have this opportunity but at the same time it’s heartbreaking to know that he has this opportunity. Does that make sense to anyone?