Make-A-Wish Helps Wakefield Child Get A Room Redecoration

Three-year-old Maison of Wakefield recently got his wish to have his room redecorated through the support of Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Maison has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer that targets the immune system. Due to his illness, Maison lives with many restrictions and limitations. He doesn’t get to go out much or play whenever and wherever he likes.

Maison’s wish, to have his room redecorated, brought the outside world to his fingertips. It is a representation of his imagination, a museum of his favorite things, and a safe environment for him to explore, learn, and play with his friends.

After much planning and hard work by dedicated Make-A-Wish volunteers Stacey and James Higgins of Wakefield, and designer Sheila Clarke of M & H Interiors in Reading, the room was ready. High mountain ranges fill three of the walls, while the wall by Maison’s new bunk bed exhibited moveable magnet pieces, creating a lineup of silly looking monsters for him to arrange. For Maison, the highlight of the new room was not the stuffed animals or playset, but rather the teepee tent in the corner. A little orange fox ornamented the entrance and the inside was covered in soft orange blankets. Maison was ecstatic. He gleamed as he climbed into the tent, wrapping himself in blankets and cocooning himself in the corner with his favorite books. That night, he cuddled into his fox printed sheets, talking excitedly about playing in the tent with his new baby brother.

“Maison’s new space brought joy and excitement to him and our family. We are grateful for all the hard work, time, and love Make-A-Wish has given us,” said Phil, Maison’s dad.

Sheila Clarke, owner of M & H Interiors, said, "It was my privilege to work on such a wonderful project for a great organization. Maison’s family has been through a tremendous ordeal and I hope in a small way this helps them turn a corner going forward. Maison is a beautiful, energetic little boy and my wish is for him to enjoy this room for a very long time."

This year alone, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island plans to grant more than 400 wishes. Approximately 500 children in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are newly diagnosed with critical illnesses each year.

To learn more about Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, visit massri.wish.org