Charlotte's wish, reimagined
Charlotte's wish is one of the few we've been able to grant since the latest COVID-19 shutdowns. However given her deteriorating condition, the Make-A-Wish community worked some serious magic to make sure it happened.
Background
Meet Charlotte
Charlotte, 8, has a disease of the nervous system and sadly her vision is currently deteriorating at an unknown rate. Her beautiful wish is to have a fairy garden she can visit in her backyard, which will bring untold joy for both her and her family.
The original plan was for Charlotte's new fairy garden to be unveiled last Saturday, with a garden tea party for family and friends, plus a special unicorn and her favourite fairy, Zarina.
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, this, of course, couldn't happen as planned.
However, thanks to our supporters and extra committed Make-A-Wish volunteers, Charlotte's wish was able to continue, albeit in a reimagined form.
The wish
A wish, reimagined
Our Sydney North branch volunteers including Marion, Julie, Jayne and Rosemary, created Charlotte's magical fairy garden and planter boxes in advance, all the while ensuring they didn't come into contact with anyone or in any way breach the latest health guidelines.
On completion, they transported and safely left the materials for Charlotte's mum and dad to install, along with a few other goodies for her wish.
Charlotte's mum told us that magical letters often make their way to Charlotte, via a little 'fairy door' in her room, from her favourite fairy friends including one named Zarina.
In the lead up to her wish (also known as the Wish Anticipation stage) - the Wish team also passed on letters from the 'Boss Queen Fairy' and had our National Patron Robyn Moore record a special audio clip to help her stay positive and focused.
Wish day
Magical memories
On Saturday morning, Charlotte received the latest letter from Boss Queen Fairy - learning that the fairies had worked hard to put together her special new garden while she slept!
Dressed in her fairy best, and with her younger sister Eve in tow, Charlotte set off to explore her fairy garden. She was absolutely in awe of the garden, and besotted with the additional touches, including a hanging-basket chair decked with heavenly cushions and a bespoke pink garden door made by a friend of the Wish team.
When the fairy dust settled, Wish team member extraordinaire Simone said: "We organised for the fairy Zarina to do a Zoom call with Charlotte and her sister - she absolutely loved it, and apparently couldn't stop smiling. Charlotte and Eve then baked cupcakes for Zarina and her fairy friends to say thank you.
"While we’re heartbroken to be unable to make some wishes come true over this period for children who need them, we were absolutely thrilled to be able to make Charlotte's wish come true, especially given the progressive nature of her condition."
“"I wish for a fairy garden in my backyard"”
The Wish Journey
How a wish comes to life
1. Wish Capture
1. Wish Capture
Depending on availability, either our Make-A-Wish volunteers or our Wish Catcher team will arrange to meet each child (either in-person or virtually) to capture their greatest wish idea, getting to the heart of what they truly want and why. This is part of what makes Make-A-Wish unique, giving children full creative control while exploring their wish idea.
2. Wish Design
2. Wish Design
Back at Make-A-Wish HQ, we collaborate with families and volunteers, with support of the medical teams, to create the ultimate wish experience for each child.
3. Wish Anticipation
3. Wish Anticipation
In the lead up to the wish, we take each child on an anticipation journey designed to build excitement, keep them engaged until their wish comes true, and provide a welcome distraction from medical treatment. Anticipation can be incredibly powerful, helping to calm, distract, and inspire kids at a time they need it most.
4. Wish Realisation
4. Wish Realisation
This is when the planning, preparation, and anticipation of the wish finally comes true. Children get to experience their greatest wish – it's everything they’ve imagined and more.
5. Wish Impact
5. Wish Impact
Wish impact studies show that a child's wish lives on, long after the moment. A wish gives more than just hope – with an incredible and lasting effect on the lives of wish kids, their families, and wider communities.
