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News
June 23, 2009
Stoner Ridge Farm ... Helping Make Wishes Come True
In July, Stoner Ridge Farm will partner with the
Make-A-Wish® Foundation to help make a wish come
true for thirteen year old Emma DeWeese. She is the daughter of Frank
and Chris DeWeese from Louisville, KY. Emma was diagnosed with Juvenile
Dermatomyositis and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis in March of 2003.
She is still not in remission - although the condition is currently
under control with medications. While she is no longer on chemo, she
had to take treatments for five years. Even though she loves horses,
she had to stop riding when her disease was at its worst. It made her
muscles so weak that she could not even get in and out of a car by
herself - let alone ride a horse safely. So, remission is the goal
right now. There is no cure for this rare disease - only a hope for
remission.
To meet Emma, one would never know of the medical
condition that has created such limitations for her. Emma’s bubbly
personality shines through with every smile. Because of her deep love
for horses and her love of riding, it was a natural choice that she
request a horse of her own through the Make-A-Wish® Foundation
when she learned that a wish was to be granted. As part of her
wish, she requested that she be able to come to Stoner Ridge Farm for
lessons and to train with Robert. “She said right away that her wish
would include your farm,” stated her mom, Chris in a recent email. “She
is so excited to come - she can hardly wait.”
Emma has already received a beautiful Rocky
Mountain mare named Shannon for her very own. She’s just perfect for
Emma. During the week of July 27th , the second part of her
wish will come true when she comes to stay with Robert and Lyngle for
the week. There are lots of activities planned that will allow Emma to
have a great time and that will enable her to become and even more
skilled, confident rider.
The
Make-A-Wish®
Foundation Mission
“We grant the wishes of children
with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience
with hope, strength and joy.”
There are four steps to granting a wish. Each step
builds on the next to help create the amazing experiences that delight
wish kids and their families. A wish experience is frequently a source
of inspiration for children undergoing difficult medical treatments and
a positive force that helps them overcome their obstacles. A wish
experience is often more than a dream come true: It’s the catalyst that
rekindles their belief in themselves and the promise of their future.
Step 1: Referral
We rely on medical professionals, parents and
children themselves for referrals. Children who have reached the age of
2˝ and are under the age of 18 at the time of referral who have not
received a wish from another wish-granting organization may be eligible
for a wish.
Step 2: Medical
eligibility
We determine a child’s medical eligibility with the
help of the treating physician. To receive a wish, the child must be
diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition – i.e., a
progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the
child’s life in jeopardy.
Step 3: Finding the
true wish
We send one of our enthusiastic wish teams to learn
the child’s one true wish. These passionate volunteers connect with wish
children and help explore their imaginations for the experience that
will delight and inspire them.
Step 4: Creating
joy
Our wish granters create an unforgettable
experience driven by the child’s creativity. It’s an incredible
experience that enriches not just the lives of the children and their
families, but often an entire community
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