For one little boy in Connellsville, wishes really do come true - at least one wish did.
For Michael Coliny Jr., 2-year-old son of Michael and Dawn Coliny of Connellsville, that one wish was to see the most popular, purple dinosaur on television today - Barney. Thanks to the people at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia, he got that wish.
Coliny, who has been diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), has had a lot of obstacles to overcome in his short life. BPD is a chronic lung disease that is treated through supportive measures and oxygen therapy. He has battled the disease since his birth and undergone a number of surgical procedures to attempt to improve his condition. He receives breathing treatments, must be fed through a feeding tube and at times requires hospitalization.
"We just take it one day at a time," says Coliny's mother. "It's a full-time job, but its worth it. All of the people who work with him are so shocked at how well he's done."
According to his mother, the Colinys learned of Make-A-Wish from the teachers at Fayette County ARC. She was very surprised at how simple the process was.
"It wasn't difficult at all. We just filled out the form after we came home from the hospital when Michael turned two," says Dawn Coliny.
After reviewing Coliny's case, the local chapter agreed to not only grant his wish to see Barney, but also arranged it so the entire family could do so in style.
On Jan. 31, Coliny, his parents and his 4-year-old sister Destiny were escorted to the airport in a limousine and flown to Dallas, Texas, where the Barney show was currently playing. Once they arrived in Dallas, Coliny's mother said the family was also treated to tickets to an aquarium, spending money for meals and souvenirs, Make-A-Wish T-shirts and hats, stuffed animals and three new Barney videos.
Coliny's mother says she was so pleased to see a smile on her son's face. "He really enjoyed himself and that made it all worthwhile."
She adds that it was a great experience because the entire family got the chance to enjoy it together.
"It has made us a lot closer as a family," says Dawn Coliny.
Encouraging the entire family to be a part of the wish experience is a priority with Make-A-Wish because it believes the parents and siblings need the magic of the wish as much as the child.
The international Make-A-Wish organization was founded in 1980 and has granted more than 83,000 wishes to children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The local chapter, established in 1983, is one of 80 chapters nationwide. The chapter serves 33 counties in western Pennsylvania, 23 counties in southern West Virginia, and to date has granted 4,600 wishes - 132 wishes in Fayette County alone and 10 wishes still pending.
According to Stacey Scalise, manager of communications at the local chapter, a wish candidate is usually referred to the organization by a person acquainted with the child's condition.
After confirming that the child is a candidate, the organization will contact the family and send representatives out to find out what the child's wish might be.
"We send out volunteers to learn what that child wishes for. It differs for every child," said Scalise.
Although trips to Disney World are by far the most popular wish making up nearly half of the organization's wish requests, Scalise says Make-A-Wish attempts to be as accommodating as possible for the children's sake.
"When we grant their wish, it gives them something to look forward to and teaches them that anything is possible. It gives them the positive attitude that they'll need to get through the doctor appointments and medical procedures they must face," says Scalise.
She adds that the public sometimes has a misconception about the organization. She stresses that Make-A-Wish doesn't only grant wishes for children who are terminally ill or dying, but any child who is battling a life-threatening illness.
Also, many believe that a child can only be referred by a doctor, but Scalise says that isn't true. Anyone who is aware of a child that may be a candidate for a wish is encouraged to contact Make-A-Wish at 1-800-676-WISH (9474).
