Make-A-Wish helps make Eddyville boy's dream come true

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Make-A-Wish helps make Eddyville boy's dream come true

http://www.ottumwacourier.com/local/local_story_360223229.html

For one Eddyville boy, Christmas came early this year.

All Austin Wilde wanted for Christmas this year was a chance to go to Walt

Disney World and go on a cruise. Combining the two requests into one, he got

that wish through the Make-a-Wish Foundation program and was sent on a

week-long Disney Cruise with his family.

Austin's mother, Kim, said the 7-year-old boy may appear to be healthy, but

his life thus far has not been easy.

In June of 2006, Austin became very sick and was taken to a hospital in

Washington state, where the family lived at the time.

" They thought it was his appendix ... but when they went to take it out, it

was fine, " his mother said. " They didn't know what was wrong with him then. "

After 18 months of hospital visits and tests on the young boy, Austin

finally received a diagnosis. The results of his tests showed that he has

several diseases, including Systemic Immune Response Syndrome (SIRS),

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn's Disease and Gastroparesis.

" Most people can have one of these diseases and live a full healthy life, "

Kim said. " But it becomes more complicated when you have all of them

together. "

Austin's mother said the treatments for one of his conditions could

interfere with another and make him even more sick.

For the time Austin was in the hospital, he was taken out of school and

remained under constant care.

In early 2007, Austin's family, including his mother, two sisters, ,

10, na, 5, brother , 9, moved to Eddyville with his aunt and uncle,

and Ralph Price.

Kim said the bills became too much in Washington state and they had to give

their house up because they were in debt due to outstanding medical bills.

" This was also a lot closer to the Mayo Clinic [in Rochester, Minn.], where

Austin goes for his treatments, " she said.

Though Austin has had a tough time over the past 18 months, his mother said

all his cares seemed to go away when his wish was granted.

" He wanted to go on a cruise and to Disney World, so a doctor at the

hospital in Washington sent in the 'make a wish' request for Austin and he

got to go and take his whole family, " Kim said with a smile. " He was so

excited when he found out. "

Just talking about the trip got the youngster excited. While he played with

his toy cars he received on Christmas Eve, he told the Courier how he got to

meet Mickey Mouse and even had the chance to sit in the captain's chair and

blow the whistle to send the ship out from port.

" It was fun, " he said, grinning from ear to ear.

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted wishes for children with

life-threatening medical conditions.

Since its beginning, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide

phenomenon, reaching more than 144,000 children around the world.

For one little boy in southeast Iowa, the wish made a huge difference.

" This meant so much to him, " his mother said.