Calling all fairy godparents - wishes await

A group that grants the requests of seriously ill children needs more helpers.

By CARRIE RITCHIE
Published June 19, 2007

Benjamin Carpenter (center), a fan of Japanese animation, fighting and weapons, visits the Pokemon in Tokyo last December. Make-A-Wish wish granters Brenda and A.J. Springer helped organize the trip that Benjamin says he'll never forget.
	[Special to the Times]

All 12-year-old Benjamin Carpenter wanted was to see Japan. He loves Japanese fighting and weapons, as well as animation like Pokemon.

So when Make-A-Wish wish granters Brenda and A.J. Springer arrived at his house in Brandon, he stated his wish without hesitation. He was so sure, in fact, that they had a hard time getting a second choice out of him.

"My second wish was to meet an anime designer, so it was Japan or Japan," Benjamin said, laughing.

With some help from the organization, Benjamin was able to spend a week in Tokyo last December, a trip he says he'll never forget.

"In his letter he wrote to Make-A-Wish, one of his last statements was: 'The incredible journey that you gave me will go on forever in my heart, my memories and my dreams,'" Brenda Springer said. "That was very powerful."

The Springers said Benjamin's wish has been one of their favorites to grant, but having the opportunity to make someone's dream a reality is always special.

"They're like fairy godmothers, making wishes come true," said Emily Ghosh, volunteer coordinator for Make-A-Wish of Northern and Central Florida, Suncoast Region.

Right now, the regional office, which covers Hernando County to Sarasota County, is searching for more real-life "fairy godmothers." Make-A-Wish is especially in need of wish granters in Pasco County because the volume of wishes in the area has more than doubled in the last year.

Ghosh said the foundation has already granted six wishes this year, but they have 13 still pending. Last year, nine wishes were granted.

After a June 2 training session, the county's wish granter total rose from five to 12, but it takes two wish granters to grant each wish, so the county needs 14 more. Spanish-speaking wish granters are also in high demand.

The foundation tries to raise awareness by hosting events and speaking at local gatherings. Wish granters have to apply, be interviewed and pass a background check.

Once selected, granters must attend a training session. The next session will be Sept. 8 in Hillsborough County.

Wish granters work in teams of two, visiting families, filling out paperwork and relaying information to those who make the wishes happen.

They also plan parties to present the family with money and whatever else is needed to make the wish come true.

For Benjamin's party, the Springers had martial arts demonstrations, complete with various types of fighting techniques and brick-breaking. They also dressed Benjamin in traditional Japanese clothes and let him hold an authentic sword.

Wish granters can also volunteer at the foundation to help with administrative and event planning work, Ghosh said.

Joe Pearl, whose son is a former Wish child, did volunteer work and spoke on behalf of Make-A-Wish while he awaited training.

He described his experience as a Make-A-Wish parent as "nothing short of outstanding."

He said the wish granters brought gifts for all three of his children and spent time with his son Jonathan, then 3, trying to understand his wish. The whole family got five days at Disney World and met Mickey, which was Jonathan's wish.

Pearl, 44, is a "very involved" dad and witnessing his son's happiness made him want to become a wish granter.

"I reached a point in life where I needed to give something back. I guess you could consider that part of my midlife crisis," Pearl said with a laugh. "It didn't take long to figure out what I wanted to do. It was almost an automatic 'Make-A-Wish.'"

Sometimes, it can be a hard job. The Springers said there are times when it hits them that the children they work with and love are fighting for their lives.

"Emotionally, it can be draining when you internalize it," Brenda Springer said. "But the benefits outweigh that."

Ghosh said a common misconception with Make-A-Wish is that all the children are terminally ill. In fact, the medical criteria for a wish is having a "life-threatening" illness, as determined by doctors. She said about 90 percent of Wish children go on to live adult lives.

"It's the hope the wish provides that allows children to fight through their condition and it gives them strength to persevere, " Ghosh said.

And it's their strength that makes the experience so rewarding for the wish granters. A.J. Springer said working with the families has been "eye-opening and humbling."

The Springers said seeing the children, particularly Benjamin, handle their illnesses with such grace has made them realize how precious life is.

Benjamin, who, because of chronic muscular atrophy uses a wheelchair, has never missed a day of school, Brenda Springer said. "You think about all the times you call in sick to work," she said. "He has this horrific condition, but he wants to be there to learn."

The Springers try to stay in contact with the children they help, including Benjamin, and continue to marvel at the way they overcome their limitations.

"With Benjamin, it seems like the disease he has is an inconvenience to him, rather than a handicap," A.J. Springer said. "The sky's the limit for him."

Carrie Ritchie can be reached at critchie@sptimes.com.

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Emily Ghosh, volunteer coordinator for Make-A-Wish of Northern and Central Florida, Suncoast Region, will speak at the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce's "Lunch and Learn" from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, 38550 Fifth Ave. The session is open to the public, but the chamber asks that attendees RSVP by today.

[Last modified June 18, 2007, 23:26:59]