MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION Making wishes come true

He had always wanted to go to Disney World in Florida and to watch wrestling match in all of his young life. In a few days, Christopher Indalecio’s wishes will come true.

The 15-year-old honor student at the Marianas High School is bound for Florida today to, what one popular song says, see what’s “over the rainbow.”

Christopher has become the first recipient in the CNMI of the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s program that helps children with life-threatening illness make their dreams come true.

“I’m very happy and very excited to go to Florida. It’s so nice that they have given me this opportunity,” the soft-spoken high school sophomore said after he was handed his plane tickets plus spending money last Sunday.

Christopher’s family was also there during a party in his honor held at the newly-opened Jollibee fastfood restaurant, together with board members of the foundation led by First Lady Sophie P. Tenorio and MVA Chairman Dave M. Sablan.

His mother, Cheryl Indalencio, thanked the organization for its gesture, saying that Christopher is looking forward to the trip as it will also mean family reunion with his grandparents and other relatives in Florida.

Her son, the second to the oldest in the family, has a rare disease called Duchenes muscular dystrophy that restricts Christopher’s muscles from growing, requiring medical attention which comes every six months to Saipan from Hawaii’s Schriners’ foundation for children.

“We try to make his life as normal as possible,” said Mrs. Indalecio, noting that Christopher has consistently made it to the National Honor Society of MHS with high academic grades.

She said she had supported his wishes to visit Disney World and watch live the matches of the World Championship Wrestling — dreams that will finally come true during this holiday season.

The foundation provided six free roundtrip tickets on business class for Christopher, his parents and his three sisters as part of his wish, plus spending money and eight-day stay in one of the hotels in Florida, according to Mr. Sablan.

Mrs. Indalecio added that backstage passes will be given to her son for the wrestling match.

“I’m very glad that this is starting now on Saipan so that other people will be aware and it’s good that Christopher is the first one to receive their assistance,” she said.

Henry Simpson, a board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter based in Guam, said the group expects to help other kids between two and half to 18 years old in the CNMI facing life-threatening illnesses.

So far, the Guam chapter has helped more than 80 children make their dreams come true, from going to Disneyland to owning computers to being a fireman for just a day.

Mr. Sablan disclosed that the Saipan field office will hold a fundraising gala at the Diamond Hotel next month to generate funds for their other projects in the CNMI.