Kaitlin's wish reveal was nothing short of amazing. Her Make-A-Wish Coordinator contacted me while I was traveling on a quick business trip and asked me did we mind having her reveal/celebration with a Make-A-Wish sponsor. I then called Nic up and asked him what did he think. He stated that he was fine with it and that is when I
responded and told her that it was okay to have it with a sponsor. Kaitlin already stated at her discovery meeting that she wanted a big celebration. A discovery meeting is a meeting that volunteers have with the family to ask the child what is their wish. The volunteers also ask about any local wishes if the child is not able to travel based upon what the medical staff informs them about the child. Kaitlin wish was to touch or swim with dolphins. Her second wish was to travel to Disney World. Kaitlin's third wish was to go to Legoland/Crayola. Her local and last wish was a shopping spree/party bus with her besties. Kaitlin got approved to travel for her wish so we were heading to Orlando, Fl. It just so happen that her first three wishes coincided with her stay at Give Kids the World Village. Give Kids the World Village is an amazing non-profit resort for children that have either a life-threatening illness or are terminally ill. They are nothing short of amazing, but that is another topic coming later. We then found out that it would be at a Collierville Elementary school. That is when I had to think of something to keep the reveal a surprise and not have her become suspicious. Kaitlin is very observant, inquisitive, and notices everything. So I came up with the idea that we are going on a school tour. At first, she was very resistant because she stated she did not want to leave her friends at her current school. I told her this was just a tour and not guaranteed that she will be attending the new school. During this time, she asked plenty of questions about the wish as well as the school we were going to tour. While she had these questions, Nic and I had to speak in code with each other about the reveal. I also had to make sure Kaitlin was not around whenever I spoke to the wish volunteer Roberta or the Coordinator Julie. It was hard work, but it was done smoothly. The day of the reveal came and we did early dismissal for the kids. They changed clothes and we were on our way. The day did not come without a few bumps in the road, but it was still a great day. We arrived at Collierville Elementary and signed in. One of the Assistant Principals gave us a mini tour of the school while everyone waited for us to arrive in the gym. Little did we know that they were filming us during the tour. Kaitlin was told that she came on a great day because they were having House meeting program. We finally made it to the gym where she got a big surprise. The excited screamed "you're going to Disney, Kaitlin." She was in shock. That is when she realized that she just had a big celebration for her reveal. It was great and she did not know a thing.
