I really don't know if this is the right place to post so please direct me otherwise if this is inappropriate. I just applied for a wish trip for my dd17. I applied a year ago but never heard back so a gal here on the DIS encouraged me to apply again. I did and got a call the next morning. I was shocked to say the least. I did tell my dd that I applied on her behalf but I've also told her she is unlikely to receive a wish trip.
She has chronic lyme disease. She's been sick for almost 3 years (though there were signs even before that). She's a high school senior this year but has been unable to take the college entrance tests, attend prom, get a job, had to drop a lot of her activities (piano since fingers don't work anymore and dance since her body hurts too bad) since she has been sick for so long (most of her high school years). Unable to do the things normal teens do. She has good days and bad days but never a great day and has not responded well to any treatments. I don't think Lyme is typically considered a 'life-threatening' diagnosis, though some do die from it, but most who cannot beat it are just doomed to a life of chronic pain and debilitation. I had been told that kid's with chronic illnesses were also eligible for wish trips but in reading more, it seems the diagnosis has to be 'life threatening'. Does anyone know how it works with chronic illnesses? It doesn't help that Lyme is not covered by insurance so we incur tons of medical bills. But when Make a Wish called, they wanted specialist names and numbers that they could talk to about my dd. Well, specialist don't treat this cause there is no insurance money in it for them. We have a naturopathic doc who does all the treatment and an MD who knows what is going on but she isn't in charge of treatment, and in all honesty, doesn't know much about lyme. She just tries to help where she can.
So, was it silly to apply? My dd could really use a morale booster. It's been a hard almost three years for her.