That Fuzzy Feeling Inside

After his successful bone marrow transplant, Caleb and his family were finally able to unwind on his Disney wish. 

A Wish to Meet His Favorites 

4-year-old Caleb, from High Point, NC, is always seeking out excitement, especially through movies. His favorites are Spiderman, Minions, and Cars, so there was no doubt that a trip to the Orlando theme parks was his one true wish. Wish mom Whitney says that along with meeting his favorite characters, Caleb’s wish was a chance to “unwind from everything we’ve been through.” 

Bittersweet Memories 

Caleb was born with a blood disorder, and when he was three, he bravely underwent a bone marrow transplant. Bravery runs in the family: his 5-year-old sister, Journey, courageously donated bone marrow so that her little brother could be healthy and strong. While it was a challenging four months in the hospital, it brought cherished memories of staff and volunteers who brought joy and heart to the hallways.  

Whitney remembers, “it was bittersweet when it was all over, because of course, we don’t want to be here, but I also don’t want everyone we met to leave our life.” One of those “phenomenal” providers was Caleb’s social worker, who referred him to Make-A-Wish. She knew that Caleb and his family needed time to recharge and experience life without constant fear and concern about his blood disorder. 

The Trip of a Lifetime 

The excitement of Caleb’s wish began before they even touched down in Orlando. It was Caleb’s first time on an airplane, and amazement radiated from his face as he watched the earth from above. “He was mind blown,” says Whitney. Other highlights included meeting his favorite characters in the parks and staying at Give Kids the World Village. Whitney was moved seeing the hundreds of kids like Caleb at the village. “The whole time I was there, I was emotional on the inside,” she says. “It was just that fuzzy feeling.”  

Those fuzzy feelings are feelings that last: Whitney says the joy they experienced brought her family closer together. Along with his mom and sister, Caleb’s grandparents came along. They were finally able to spend quality time together after months of “medical, medical, medical,” says Whitney. The memories are a constant topic of conversation — especially when Caleb and Journey spot the Cinderella Castle or Minions on the TV. 

The Power of a Wish 

“It was the trip of a lifetime,” says Whitney.  As she reflects on the joy her family continues to experience because of Caleb’s wish, she says, “It’s not just a gift, it’s a genuine blessing… It’s phenomenal what people do for people they don’t even know. People pour out genuine gifts, support, and donations just to see a smile on a kid’s face.”  

Kids facing critical illnesses possess a unique and amazing strength. There is no doubt that families like Caleb’s deserve to experience the power of a wish. Thanks to supporters like you, Caleb and other kids like him are celebrated for what they’ve been through — and for who they are.