We were nominated and approved for Kids Wish Network. To say we were disappointed is a complete understatement. We were initially devastated. We ended up declining their wish and getting approved with a different organization almost immediately. When we were initially nominated, we were told the organization was like "xyz.. insert organization name" and that another organization wouldn't approved us because they specialize in "life altering" illness and the other one is for "life threatening" illness. This turned out to be a lie. The organization that they were referring to also assists with life altering illness and are not affiliated with Kids Wish Network.
Once we were approved and spoke to a wish coordinator, the process took over a year. Once we talked to someone again, it was the same introductory talk with my child that took place the year prior. Over the year and a half Kids Wish Network never called to check in or even say "hi". They spoke to my child very briefly and were very secretive about getting his wish to him. It wasn't really what he wanted and they didn't speak to me before granting it. To top it off the air fair gift card they provided was only for 2 people and we are a family of 4. Not to mention they tried to play it off as them gifting us a trip but it was a bunch of gift cards. I had to email them and decline it because of all the money we would come out of pocket.
Lastly, there is a place where children who have their wishes in Orlando can stay for free. Hundreds of organizations partner with them. Oddly, Kids Wish Network is not one of them. It's very odd because they are in the same state. Not only that but none of the theme parks in Florida offer perks to people traveling with Kids Wish Network because they don't consider them a "wish granting organization".
My son had a stroke and brain surgery at 2 years old, he is now 4 and doing better than we ever could have imagined. Kids Wish Network has gone above and beyond to make my boys dream of a playground at home come true! Going to the park used to be a regular thing for us, but with my little guy not being able to use his right side, the park is more of a struggle with all the extra people. I cannot thank this foundation enough for all they have blessed my boy with! I highly recommend this charity. It's a process that is worth it!
-A mother trying to make this world a better place for her babies.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK 'MAKE A WISH" FOR MY SONS PROMISING FUTURE! MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED AT 17YRS OLD WITH OSTEOSARCOMA, A RARE TYPE OF CHILDRENS BONE CANCER. PARKER WAS GRADUATING AT THE TOP OF HIS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS WICH WOULD HAVE PROMISED HIM A SCHOLARSHIP TO COLLEGE. INSTEAD HE HAD TO GO THROUGH 11 MONTHS OF CHEMO THERAPY , LOSING ALL HIS HAIR AND MISSING SCHOOL THE WHOLE TIME. AFTER THAT WAS OVER HIS KNEE WAS AMPUTATED. PARKER FELL SO BEHIND IN SCHOOL HE LOST HIS DREAM TO GO TO COLLEGE UNTIL THE WISH FOUNDATION STEPPED UP OFFERING TO PAY FOR PARKERS FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN MY SON AS HAPPY AND HOPEFUL AS HE IS TODAY! PARKER HAS BEEN A STUDENT LIVING ON CAMPUS AT UC MONTEREY IN CALIFORNIA AND HAS BEEN CANCER FREE FOR 6 MONTHS. SO THANK YOU WISH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR BRINGING MY SONS DREAMS BACK TO LIFE!
SINCERELY, CAROLINE GARRETT
My son who was Diagnosed with a rare eye cancer at 3 mo's old was recently granted a wish. He choose to meet Mickey Mouse. Our family has been through so much and this was an amazing trip and escape from everything. It was also so humbling and heartwarming. Human kindness does exist. Our family needed this more than anyone can ever know. We appreciate it and feel so blessed by Kids wish Network. You can read more about Kashie trip on the website. :) THank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone involved!
Kash S. Momma
My daughter Kaylee's appendix burst and she had to have surgery after being lifeflighted to the hospital. After what seemed like forever she was finally able to leave the hospital 4 weeks later on her birthday. She is doing well now and it was to her excitement when the hospital chose her as Kids Wish Network's Hero for the month. They gave her a cute shirt and a medal that she really likes along with a $100 gift card. She really enjoyed shopping with her Walmart gift card after her final visit to her surgeon. Thank you, Kids Wish Network and a great big thanks to Janet Weiss Childrens Hospital in Danville, PA.
We love Kids Wish Networks Hero Program!! My name is Crescent Rossiter. I am a Case Manager for a one-to-one mentoring program. Children are refered to my program becaue they have suffered or are suffering from a variety of different issues mostly involving abuse. I learned about the Hero Program because of an email I recieved from another youth serving agency in my community. I immediatly looked into signing up my program. Our children have been served by Kids Wish Networks Hero Program over 2 years now. It is so wonderful to be able to present this kind of award to children who have been dealth such unfair circumstances that are out of their control. These Hero awards not only brighten their day; they encourage these children to move forward toward a better life for themselves, where most adults would give up. Thank you Kids Wish Network! You are an amazing Program!
Kids wish network recognizes our patients who endure many things, but wouldn't otherwise get recognition. They are wonderful to work with, and we really appreicate their support.
An amazing organization. Kids Wish heroes program has empowered the lives of scores of children at our Freedom House and Secret Garden programs, which serve disabled victims/surivors of domestic violence and their families. Keep up the amazing work.
Kids Wish Network is one of the charities that our son and family has had the pleasure of benefiting from. Our son Drew was born with a rare disease, one that is chronic and uncureable. Having a child with a life threatining disease is life changing. No child should spend their kidhood dealing with hospital stays, scary and painful proceedures, the constant flow of strangers poking and proding. Childhood should be a carefree time, a time for play, worry free. But if that is not possible I am so very greateful for organizations like Kids Wish.
At first we applied to Make-A-Wish but were denied, even though we knew of other families that had the same disorder as our son being granted wishes. Our son did not qualify because he was not terminal. Though our friends children were not terminal either. Kids Wish understands that child with a chronic life threating illness need an escape from their pain and illness. Kids Wish recognizes that threat to our childrens lives is real.
They didn't think twice when we placed our application. They contacted us within a few weeks. They interviewed our family and son who is ill and more importantly they paid attention to our daughter (who thank God) is healthy. Having one sick and one healthy child is very hard. The sick one always gets all the attention, though we try to make things even and make special time for our daughter, it never is. Kids Wish get that everyone suffers with an illness not just the one afflicted. Within a couple of months we were on our son's Wish trip to
Legoland inSan Diego County to fullfill Drew's wish to be a Lego designer for a day. It was a wonderful weekend, Mom and Dad enjoyed the time spent at La Quienta Spa and Resort. :) Kids Wish have never pressured us for endoursments or donations. They are kind, respectful and giving. We only have the most wonderful things to say about Kids Wish and spread the word about them at every opportunity.
Kids Wish Network granted my son his Disney World wish in August 2010. Everything was wonderful. It was a first for our family with three special needs children to just go on a vacation. I cannot express enough thianks to all the sponsors and the people at KWN for giving our son and the rest of the family a memory we wil never forget.
Kids Wish Network granted a wish for my child Ebonnyse to go to Disney World. This was the best wish and experience she could ever encounter. I would like to thank all the sponsors that made it possible for Ebonnyse dream to come true. The Kids Wish Network is the only and best organization that helps kids believe that dreams are meant to come true. Thank you for all your help and support, we are most grateful.
With love, Ebonnyse Stafford and Family..
Kids Wish Network granted our son a cruise in August 2010. They went above and beyond anything we could have imagined. They didn't even leave out, our other son. They sent a box before we left filled with so much stuff, it was incredible. It is the trip that Cody will never forget, and
we cannot thank them enough.
My son Sean had his wish granted last April 2010 by Kids Wish Network. He wished that he could visit as many presidents' grave sites as possible and leave a flower to show respect. As a family, we decided to go to DC and VA to cover the most in the shortest amount of distance. They filled the 7 days with so many things for us to do in respect to his wish! he had private tours of the zoo, Washington Monument, Capitol Blg, and of course Arlington, National Cathedral, and Monticello and Mt Vernon. As this was an unusual request and scheduled for 6 weeks from designation of a sponsor, it was quite amazing that so many things were planned in so little time. We were and are very grateful for the experiences our son and we had with several of the people for Kids Wish network.