Chad, as he is referred to by his family and friends was surprised with his one true wish – to go on a Disney Cruise. 

The surprise began early this year at the Memphis Zoo where Chad was told that he was going on a scavenger hunt. After each clue was solved, Chad would find a surprise waiting for him: Disney autograph book, digital camera, duffel bags with his name personalized on it and more.  At Tiger Country inside the zoo, Chad found a really special surprise and as a huge Memphis Tigers fan he was beside himself when he found a Memphis Tigers t-shirts and baseball caps.  As the hunt continued, Chad was given clues that lead him to the aquarium where his wish was revealed.  On the wall, a huge ship painted on plywood was mounted with pictures of Mickey Mouse and others Disney characters, that’s when he learned that his wish had been granted.

Upon finding out about his wish, Chad had no idea about the surprise Disney Cruise, Chad’s mom said, “He was excited, he was so happy. He always says, ‘I’m happy.”

Mrs. Lovelace expressed utter disbelief upon hearing that Chad was even being considered for a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South.

“I had no idea we were even being considered for a wish.  One of the nurses at LeBonheur Children Hospital turned Chad’s name into Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South and then I got a call talking about the possibility of granting a wish for Michael. I wanted to turn it down at first because I thought your child had to be dying in order to have a wish granted. I did not want any part of that because I felt doing this would mean accepting that my son did not have much time to live.”

The next morning after the scavenger hunt, Chad and his family headed for Orlando, Florida. for a four day, three night stay, aboard the Cap Carnival cruise ship.  At the Memphis International Airport, Chad and his family were introduced to one of the Mid-South Chapter’s pre-flight captains, who took care of their bags and took Chad on a tour of the plane and explained different things to him about how it works.  This was Chad’s first time flying on an airplane so he very much enjoyed looking out the window at clouds and the sky. After a short and comfortable flight, Chad and his family landed in Orlando, where a shuttle bus awaited them and took them to the Cap Carnival cruise ship. 

Chad’s mother said, “At first, I was not sure if he would get on the ship but he did and we were on our way.”

Once aboard the ship, Mrs. Lovelace said, “we were treated like royalty.”  She and her family wore their Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South shirts and once the staff saw who they were with they did not have to wait in line or tend to anything.

Upon arrival, Mrs. Lovelace had heard if you left a pillowcase at the front desk then all the Disney characters would sign it for you. On the last day of the trip a very special pillowcase was left in their suite for the entire family to enjoy. 

During the day the characters would wear dress attire, and in the evening everyone would dress according to the theme: pirates, etc. One stop the boat made was at Cast Away Key Beach, where someone dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean greeted everyone.

Chad loved everything from dancing with the Disney characters, to sliding down the slide where he gave Mickey’s hand a high five when you reach the bottom of the slide. The food was endless from the pizza to ice cream, just an overflow of goodies to enjoy.  A special treat for everyone aboard the ship was the fireworks show the last night aboard the ship, which Chad enjoyed very much.

Chad’s mom said, “Michael is doing good. Compared to where he was he is doing well.  This was a trip of lifetime. I was not sure if Chad would be able to go on the trip because his condition was so severe.  Chad had just had his third open heart surgery and was on life- support, and in a coma.  While on the trip he was still on oxygen at night but they had everything he needed on the ship.  This is something he would never get to do if it were not for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Every time I’m out I try to give. Anything I can do to help support the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital I will do.”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. To help make wishes come true, please visit www.midsouth.wish.org or call 901-680-9474.

Photographs of wish kid Chad by Townsend Photographers.