THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 5, 1996 TAG: 9601030144
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Ten-year-old Gregory Wigfield and his family are looking forward to seven fun-filled days at Disney World, compliments of the Make-A-Wish-Foundation, a non-profit group that grants wishes to terminally ill or seriously ill children.
Make-A-Wish informed the family just days before Christmas that Gregory's wish of a vacation at Disney World had been granted. Gregory was approached by volunteers of the organization while being treated for a brain tumor at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.
``They asked him what his No. 1 wish would be, and he said he wanted to go to Disney World,'' said Don Wigfield, Gregory's father.
``A few days later, a volunteer with Make-A-Wish contacted us, and said we were all going. I was really surprised.''
So on Friday morning, the family will be whisked away to Norfolk International Airport by limousine and flown to Florida.
``It's a lot warmer there than it is here,'' said Gregory.
Once there, Gregory and his family plan to visit Disney World, EPCOT Center, Sea World, Universal Studios and MGM.
``I'm looking forward to the roller-coasters and games,'' said Gregory. ``And the restaurants.''
The last five months have been emotionally and physically draining for the Wigfield family.
Last August, Gregory crashed his bike into a utility pole and soon after started complaining of headaches and nausea. While doctors were checking Gregory for possible broken bones, they discovered a brain tumor the size of a lemon.
``They think he lost control of his bike because a blood vessel burst in his head,'' said Don Wigfield.
``The doctors initially said that Gregory had about a 40 percent chance of making it,'' he added. But after two surgeries and four months of chemotherapy, which often left Gregory sick and weak, things are looking up.
Not only was Gregory's trip granted but he received the two top gifts he wanted for Christmas: two hamsters, which he promptly named Fuzzy and Alex.
Although his prognosis at the beginning of his illness was less than optimistic, there's reason to believe he'll have a full recovery.
``His last MRI didn't show any of the cancer,'' Don Wigfield said.
While thinking of his trip, Gregory had but one reservation.
``My brother's going to try to hog the television in the limo,'' he said.
But his parents said he's not to worry.
``This trip is for you,'' said his mother, Brenda.
When Gregory gets back from his trip, he'll face several months of radiation treatment then hopefully return to his fellow fourth grade classmates at Crestwood Intermediate.
``We've been home-schooling him since the beginning of the school year, but we hope he'll be back at school soon,'' said the elder Wigfield.
Although the past few months have been trying for the Wigfields, they all agree that they couldn't have made it without the support of family, church and friends.
``And God,'' said Gregory, ``because he's the one that granted my wish, and he's the one that's made me better.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
Ten-year-old Gregory Wigfield and his family will spend a week at
Disney World, thanks to the Make-A-Wish-Foundation.
by CNB