It’s pretty amazing wanting to be a firefighter from the first time you could remember, whether from childhood or a life long dream as an adult. This brings us to children who have terminal or serious illnesses that have “wishes”. Here is a story about a young boy, Brad, 14 who had a dream of meeting firefighters from the FDNY.
Brad’s back in the hospital … a broken collar bone. Not from taking a spill on a bike, playing football or anything even remotely risky.
Just from using his walker to get around.
Brad’s condition makes his bones brittle. Add to that the long list of fractures and challenges – like spending years hooked to an IV drip for up to six hours a day, and wearing a full-body cast for eight weeks.
Trying to Live a Normal Kid’s Life
Click the image to watch a video of Brad’s wish on their website: http://www.wish.org.
Still, Bradley does everything possible to enjoy life. He participates in Special Olympics bowling and a summer baseball league.
But what’s truly important to him is serving as an honorary member of the Somerset Fire and Rescue Department. He looks forward to the weekly meetings, the fire-prevention events, the parades.
But Brad’s condition makes it impossible for him ever to be a firefighter.
View from Inside the FDNY
Still, he wants to get a taste of the firefighter’s life … and to meet some of the people who inspired the world in an unprecedented crisis: the emergency workers who saved countless lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Make-A-Wish® volunteers promise to grant his wish.
Brad spends time with a firefighter in his full uniform.
Brad’s day starts at FDNY Engine Company 210. He takes a tour, joins them for lunch, watches them race off on two emergency calls. Then he’s off to FDNY headquarters, where he gets a badge and photo ID … and he signs his name into the new-recruit logbook.
At the Operations Center, Bradley has an epiphany as dispatchers hold the city together during a fierce blizzard. He realizes … there are other ways I can help besides being a firefighter! It takes all sorts of talent to make it possible for rescue workers to do their job. Brad sees a path he can take to make a difference.
Wish Inspires Brad’s New Goal
It’s a transformational moment made possible by his wish.
Back at home, Brad shares his story. He tells others about his new perspective and new prospects for the future. And he works to realize his goal – to be an emergency dispatcher for a city that needs him.
Want to help more kids like Brad, take a moment and make a donation on the Make-A-Wish Foundation or see how you can help “answer” a special child’s dream. What a great organization helping kids all over the United States.
(c) 2012 The NW Fire Blog
NW Fire Blog 