Bridgeport to Barbados: Wish Kid’s Smile-Filled Vacation

Fifteen-year-old Josiah’s wish to go to Barbados was a celebration of family.
Josiah Gray, better known as “Mr. President” by his classmates and friends, is a loving, nonverbal boy who lights up any room he is in. For his wish, he wanted the two things he loves most, his siblings and water, to be the focus of his special adventure. His family and wish granters came together to plan the perfect wish for Josiah: a family vacation to Barbados so they could spend quality time together while playing in the ocean.
When the Gray family landed in Barbados, they made their way to the beautiful Accra Beach Hotel that had everything a water-lover like Josiah could want; the hotel had a beautiful pool, picturesque beaches, and tons of fun! Josiah and his family spent their time at the beach smiling, laughing and splashing in the waves together. Josiah’s mom had nothing but amazing things to say about the wish experience and the positive impact the trip had on Josiah, as well as the whole family. She recalled her precious memories in Barbados with Josiah, “When he was in the ocean, he had an awesome time. When the waves would splash him he would crack up. To see that experience for him was amazing.” Josiah’s wish gave him and his family an incredible vacation that left them relaxed, refreshed, and closer than ever.
Josiah’s wish had an enormous impact on Josiah and his family. He and our wish kids teach us every day about resilience, overcoming obstacles and about the transformative power of hope. Unfortunately, Make-A-Wish Connecticut faces a record number of wishes waiting to be granted as a result of the recent need to postpone all wishes that involve travel due to the public and medical concerns of COVID-19. More than ever before, wishes need the support of individual and corporate donors to grant the wish of every eligible child. Learn more and help at ct.wish.org.

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH CONNECTICUT
Make-A-Wish® Connecticut creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. They seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers across the state currently grant nearly 250 wishes a year. Since 1986, Make-A-Wish Connecticut has granted more than 3,300 wishes to local children. For more information about Make-A-Wish Connecticut, visit ct.wish.org.