 (Photo Credit: Kids Wish Network) Ten-year-old JoLynn, who has spina bifida, was thrilled when she got her wish to have her very own hot tub!
Lynn gets the ‘spa’ treatment thanks to Kids Wish Network
Kids Wish Network
JANUARY 27, 2006Blaine, MNJoLynn’s special gift began soon after her mother, Jodi, learned about Kids Wish Network when she was contacted by one of the charity’s professional fundraisers. When asked if she knew of a child who might qualify for a wish, Jodi immediately thought of her daughter.
JoLynn was born with a condition known as spina bifida. Spina bifida occurs when the spinal column fails to close completely before birth and results in spinal cord nerve damage. JoLynn is paralyzed from the waist down and is confined to a wheelchair. She also has hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain”, and has had to have a VP shunt surgically implanted to drain the fluid away from her brain. JoLynn works hard daily on her physical therapy and is trying to learn to walk with braces. She will likely need spinal surgery in the summer.
One activity that is especially good for JoLynn’s physical therapy is spending time in the water. So it was no surprise that when JoLynn was approved for a wish with Kids Wish Network, she asked for a hot tub!
JoLynn’s Kids Wish Network Wish Coordinator, Kim, immediately began the arrangements to make her dream come true. After making some phone calls, she was able to find some extremely kind-hearted folks who were eager to help with JoLynn’s wish. The members of the Blaine Lion’s Club were particularly touched by her story and were anxious to help. The group generously offered to sponsor her entire wish. Soon, JoLynn’s hot tub was on its way!
JoLynn was thrilled when her hot tub arrived. Jodi said that JoLynn has always loved being in hot tubs. “Whenever we go to a friend’s house with one, she always has to bring her suit!” Jodi said that JoLynn has wanted one of her very own for quite a long time. “It’s great for her.”
While JoLynn must wait until spring before they can put the hot tub up, she’s still busy making plans for her big hot tub party. She’s anxious to share her hot tub with all of her friends and absolutely can’t wait for the ground to thaw. “She’s so excited!” said Jodi.
Jodi was especially grateful to Kids Wish Network and their wish coordinator. “Kim was just great. Everything was wonderful!”
Kids Wish Network would like to extend a special thanks to the Blaine Lion’s Club for helping to make JoLynn’s wish come true!
Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 813-891-9374 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at kidswishnetwork.org.
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