Behind The Wish: Amber

I graduated at the University of South Australia recently, completing a Bachelor of Human Movement. I've done placement in Adelaide helping with the Specialised Assistance School For Youth (SASY) program 

This involves helping little kids get to the Olympics and other high levels, by assessing their talent, and choosing which ones could go far.

We test things like their sprinting and vertical jump.

I'm also working at a physio clinic in administration and as an allied health assistant.

I’ll end up being a health and exercise physiologist so rather than diagnosing injuries it will be more working in the rehab area.

I’m still playing netball and helping out as a sports trainer, so doing strapping for netballers and footballers.

My first memories of Make-A-Wish are from a quite a young age. I remember going to fundraisers like the 24-hour shearing one the Barossa Valley Branch did. 

So, I was really growing up with Make-A-Wish and hearing mum's stories about different wishes.

And I thought it would be really nice to see a child get what they wish for after going through everything that they've been through.

I probably first really thought about joining when Auntie Rach and Mum were on Sadie's wish for an everlasting supply of books. My sister and I helped out with that one. We went down to Adelaide to the library where the wish was held and we dressed up. 

That probably was the starting point because we were there, and we saw how much it affected Sadie and how happy she was, even though she was going through probably one of the worst times in her life. 

I was like, yes I want to do this and I want to try and make a child's day by granting their wish.

Wish kids are going through so much. It’s so different for them, as their mates are outside playing or going to school when they are stuck in hospital.

So I felt it would be great to make their day and give them something that they can remember.

Picture: Amber (far right) with wish kid Sadie (left) and MP Ashton Hurn.

The kids are going through who knows what, getting stabbed by needles and all sorts of treatments. I've never had to go through anything like they do. So, I really like trying to make a difference for them and their families and making an impact on their lives.

You do feel lots of emotions meeting wish kids and their families. Definitely lots of joy and a sense of appreciation for what I have in my life. I’ll never forget seeing Sadie’s face light up when she got her books. It just made her day. 

I would say to anyone thinking about volunteering with Make-A-Wish that they should get involved.

One of the best things is you can choose to do bits and pieces, the things that you want to do. If you want to be on the fundraiser side of things you can, or you could choose just to do wishes. It doesn’t take up much of your time and is extremely rewarding.

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