Dare to dream! If you could have one wish, what would it be? Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties is committed to making wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Make-A-Wish truly believes that a wish experience can be a powerful platform in giving a child courage and hope in the face of adversity.
Through Laurie Bennett at Fence Factory, the local Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties teamed up to make a wish come true for 15-year-old Ojai resident Jonah. Jonah was diagnosed last year with glioblastoma multiforme, a supremely aggressive form of brain cancer. Jan. 9, 2013 at 14 years old, he immediately underwent surgery which in turn led to months of treatment, such as antibody treatments, chemotherapy, speech therapy and physical therapy.
Before his diagnosis, Jonah was a skateboarding fanatic. When the Make-A-Wish volunteer Wish Granters came to visit him in March of 2013, Jonah wished for for a skate park near his home where his friends could come over to skate. Since all wishes must go through a doctor’s approval, his medical team approved the skate spot under the condition that he not ride during his chemotherapy regimen. This set the ball in motion for Jonah’s Skate Spot.
After hearing Jonah’s story, Fence Factory was ready to help make Jonah’s dreams come true. Fence Factory delivered the rebar, donated the production of the custom railing at the top of the bowl, and also brought several in-kind construction industry contacts which then contributed to the creation of Jonah’s Skate Spot.
Jonah’s Skate Spot is scheduled to be open for fun in mid-January. Ride on, Jonah!