Make-A-Wish helps dreams come true!

Local firefighters will be walking the corners of Valley and Tucker in Tehachapi on November 12th during the "Heroes & Helmets for Hope" drive that is sponsored by Make-A-Wish Central California. From 7:30 a.m to 2 p.m. they will be collecting donations that will go towards granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions who live in the Tehachapi area.

One of the local beneficiaries of Make-A-Wish is five-year-old Braylon who suffers from a rare neurological disease called CDLKL5 Disorder. Because of this debilitating disease, Braylon cannot speak, walk or eat. He is able to communicate using non-verbal sounds and receives nourishment and digests food through a gastric feeding tube (G-tube).

Braylon receives water therapy on a daily basis and his parents noticed that during these sessions, the movement of the water seemed soothe him. His water sessions appeared to make him happy and also seemed to reduce the frequency of his seizures.

When Make-A-Wish volunteers met with Braylon's parents, they asked what they thought he would want for his wish. His parents said that they thought that he would want a spa in his backyard. With his own spa, he now can enjoy his wish all year-round. The addition of a specially designed float ring that he wears in the spa provides Braylon with new found swimming independence.

"He loves it, it is his independence and calms him down. He is able to move around more," said his mother.

Make-A-Wish and their wish granters strive to personalize each wish to match the recipient's one true wish. Make-A-Wish pays for all costs associated with the wish. The average cost of a wish is $6,000.

The children, ranging in age from two-and-a-half to 18, are referred to the organization by medical professionals, parents and, in some cases, by the children themselves. Make-A-Wish determines the child's medical eligibility with the help of the treating physician. The diagnosis must be a life-threatening disease.

With no governmental support, Make-A-Wish totally relies on fundraising and private donations to pay for the wishes. They do not wait for funding to grant a qualified wish. If you know a child who may be eligible for a wish, contact Make-A-Wish at 661-634-WISH or visit: centralca.wish.org.

In the meantime, be sure to visit our local firefighters during the "Heroes & Helmets for Hope" drive. Joining them will be other members of our community in support of Make-a-Wish.