| Unique Wishes |
 |
| HARSHIL SHAH |
|
|
|
| Harshil’s family could never have imagined even in their worst nightmares that something as innocuous as a mild fever could turn out to be something as horrendous as cancer.
This shocking and unexpected diagnosis forced his family to move from Navsari to Mumbai for treatment, and admitted to Bhatia Hospital. But unlike most other 4 year olds Harshil was resilient and tough. He stayed calm and strong even while he was undergoing painful procedures. His courage and innocence won the hearts of all the doctors and nurses who treated him. The nurses were so attached to him that the times when his condition would deteriorate tears would well up in their eyes. There was never a single day in the two and a half years of his treatment that they didn’t pray for his well being.
It was during this period that Harshil’s name was suggested by his doctor to some of our volunteers. When he was asked to make a wish he immediately expressed his desire to fly. Nobody from his family had ever traveled by an airplane and he had always hoped that maybe someday he would. But he never thought it would happen this soon for him. From the time he was told his wish would be granted till the day it finally materialized, Harshil never stopped fantasizing about flying in an aircraft. He was completely thrilled by the prospect. His mother had never seen him so eager and happy.
After an agonizing wait, at least for Harshil, the day finally arrived when he could sit in an airplane. Our volunteers escorted him to the Juhu Aerodrome where he was quickly buckled into a Piper Super Cub (a two-seat, single-engine airplane). He was fascinated and overwhelmed by all the “buttons and switches” on the control panel, and before he knew it the pilot had whooshed the plane off the runway and they were airborne. Dizzy with exhilaration, he looked down at his family and all the people below who now looked like “ants.” The ride lasted for a mere half an hour. But for Harshil they were the most unforgettable thirty minutes of his life. For weeks after he would dream of the plane ride every night refusing to wake up in the morning. When relatives called to talk to him he would tell his mom to inform them, “I’m flying. Please don’t disturb me.”
Harshil is now 10 years old and studying at the Hindi Vidhya Bhavan School. Like every other 10 year old he enjoys watching cartoons, drawing and paining. He is extremely fond of food. It’s almost impossible to believe that only a few years ago he was diagnosed with cancer. His mother to this date firmly believes that it is the love and countless prayers of various people, including the doctors and the nurses that has enabled him to make a full recovery. She has nothing but praise for our organization. She has said that Make A Wish Foundation is one of the few organizations that actually keeps its promises.
She firmly believes that the pleasure that they brought into her son’s life played a major role in her son’s recovery. She would love to see every sick child made as happy as Harshil.
|
|
| ANUJ SENGAR |
|
|
|
| Ever since Anuj saw his first movie, he had cherished the dream of becoming an actor. Living in a small town in Madhya Pradesh he had to travel many kilometers to the nearest city just to watch his idols on screen and for a few blissful hours transpose himself into a dream world on celluloid. He absolutely idolized Salman Khan who was his favourite. He never missed a single movie starring the macho Khan. He could even mouth dialogues from his favourite star’s movies, and yearned to come to Mumbai just to catch a glimpse of his idol.
But Anuj landed in Mumbai under very sad circumstances. At the age of eleven Anuj was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer (cancer originating in the throat) and was admitted to The Tata Memorial Hospital. The poor young boy suffered a great deal of pain, and was in agony most of the time. He was unable to eat for months and survived on milk. Swallowing anything, even his own spit, was a nightmare. His voice became hoarse and no one could understand what he was saying.
He met the Make-A-Wish volunteers while being treated at the Tata Memorial Hospital. Though he could barely speak and could barely make himself understood, he expressed his wish to meet Salman Khan. When he was told that his wish was going to be granted he was ecstatic. He couldn’t believe that after seeing Salman Khan on the silver screen for so many years he was not only going to meet him but also chat with him.
Anuj along with six other children who also wanted to meet Salman Khan were taken to the sets of “Dus Ka Dum”. Anuj got to spend some time alone with his “hero” and they chatted together for a really long time. The volunteers were pleasantly surprised to see Anuj who could barely speak, talk to Salman Khan effortlessly, as though nothing was wrong or had ever been wrong with him. Anuj gave a letter to Salman Khan in which he expressed his desire to be an actor and hoped that Salman Khan could give him a break. The plucky little boy really impressed Salman who had thoroughly enjoyed his company. He later autographed his t-shirt and gave it to Anuj.
Anuj was on cloud nine for many days after the meeting. His health improved drastically, not only did he get his voice back but he was also able to eat solid food again.
It takes so little to bring joy and happiness into a sick little child’s life. In Anuj’s case, it was a mere meeting and some friendly banter with his adored Salman. And it must make the star feel good too; to know that his mere presence and a few kind words from him can bring so much pleasure and make such a big difference in someone’s life.
|
|
| |
|
|
