Keith and Kimberly Dedmon of Mansfield were notified in January that their son, Kason, had been approved by the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Several weeks later they were connected with Mid-South Coordinator Taylor Strack.
COVID-19 hindered the application process, however on June 2, the Dedmons received an email approving Kason’s wish, a swimming pool.
“Two weeks later, our wish had been purchased and plans were being made for the granting of Kason’s wish,” shared Kimberly Dedmon.
The crews began working last week and completed the pool installation on Friday, July 17.
Make-A-Wish serves a unique, and vital, role in helping strengthen and empower children battling critical illnesses. Established in 1980, Make-A-Wish is the legacy of Chris Greicius, a 7-year-old boy from Phoenix. Greicius’ wish was to be a police officer. His wish set in motion a phenomenon that would create an unprecedented kind of charity.
Wishes are granted in a four step process. After being referred, the eligible child must be diagnosed with a critical illness (i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy).
In Kason Dedmon’s case, that condition is a rare genetic mutation called GRIN1. According to his mom, There are only about 75 other people in the world who have this genetic mutation.
Volunteers connect with wish kids “to help them awaken their imaginations and help them envision an experience with the power to change lives. Wish granters create an unforgettable experience driven by the child’s creativity. They strive to personalize each wish and to make it match the wish kid’s idea of a perfect day.”
The vision for Kason Dedmon, a swim in his own pool. No doubt that “perfect day” will be relived every time he slips into his floaties!
“Thank you so much to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Luther Stem Pools and Spas, H&H Electric and all of the generous donors who have helped grant our baby’s wish,” his mom concluded. “Seeing him laugh like this is one of the best feelings in this whole world and we will forever be grateful to those who made it possible.”
