World Wish Day

Yesterday was 4/29/3013, just another day for most, but for a select group of people, that day meant the world to them. When we are children, we often let our imaginations run wild. We sometimes play games where genies grant us wishes from a lamp; in fact, Aladdin's popular Disney movie is based around this concept. However, life is a different struggle for those with terminal diseases. Those with terminal illnesses often do not get the same experiences as the rest of us. When they should be going to a high school football game, homecoming, or a prom, they can often be found, instead, in hospital rooms, battling for their lives. One organization decided to change that.

One Kid's Wish

They say that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything you want. For Christopher Greicius, there were many obstacles in his way, but he had a great imagination. Every day, the 7-year-old dreamed of being a police officer. His wish was only granted for one day, but it would help inspire an organization that would change countless individuals' and families' lives. On April 29, 1980, Chris was made into an honorary police officer. Sadly, he passed away the following day. However, in his seven years of life, he has made a more considerable impact than most adults do¹. Chris would help launch the world's largest wish-granting organization. To this day, the Make-A-Wish organization has granted more than 250,000 wishes worldwide. The organization is active in more than 50 countries—one of its key partners in the WWE.

Not Such a Fake Impact 


I will admit, I do watch professional wrestling. It is my man, soap. A lot of people knock it because it is pretty scripted. I like to consider it "athletic acting."  Last night, WWE did something that reinforces why they are such a good organization. The babyface (Top good guy) John Cena was part of a special ceremony coordinating with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and World Wish Day. Since 1982, WWE, formally the WWF, has helped grant 5,000 wishes. This, in itself, is a staggering number. However, even more staggering is that John Cena, himself, has personally granted 300 wishes. He is not a character that I like; however, I respect him and his work ethic, along with his charitable efforts. To find out more about what the WWE is doing and what you can do to help, please visit the link below². However, I am not writing this blog to be shameless to promote a television show I watch. I am writing this blog for three reasons. 1: To highlight a day of national celebration. 2: To highlight an organization's great charitable work on behalf of kids with life-threatening illnesses, some of which include that illness under the Muscular Dystrophy umbrella. 3: To highlight an essential issue in the disabled community. 

The Debate: For or Not For Jerry's Kids

When I was growing up, I was not surrounded by many other people with disabilities. However, I knew I was different. I knew I had a disability, but I did not realize that there were other kids with disabilities who had it worse than me until one year on Labor Day, I turned on the T.V. and started watching this funny little man talk about kids who needed help. A lot of them were in chairs, so I thought to myself, "Oh, that boy is like me." I showed the telethon to my mom and asked her what it was for. She said. "It's the annual Labor Day telethon for the MDA." The MDA is an organization devoted to curing nearly 40 different diseases that fall under the umbrella of Muscular Dystrophy. Those unfamiliar with the disabled community may not understand when I make the following statement:  Some within the disabled community are not too fond of the MDA. How is this possible? A lot of people with MD do not agree with the way the organization spends the money. One gentleman by the name of Rory M. once said to me, "If they would spend more of your dollar on research and less on lavish corporate headquarters, we might have a cure by now." I have no problem with the organization, myself, and seeing as how I do not have an MD; I feel it is inappropriate for me to take sides in this argument. While the debate may continue over organizations like the MDA, the Make-A-Wish Foundation is different.  

The Make-A-Wish foundation brings joy to countless kids each year. This group seems to have risen above the internal politics and debate of the disabled community to remind us that we should not quarrel over the little nuances of disability but to make each other's lives better, regardless if we do or do not have a disability. 

John Cena surprises Nick for World Wish Day

Make-A-Wish President & CEO


Footnotes:
1.http://neny.wish.org/about-us/history/
2.Make-A-Wish and WWE