Make-A-Wish Grants Wish Of North Middletown Contortionist Teen

A local child’s wish was granted by Make-A-Wish New Jersey, whose mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Twelve-year-old Calista of North Middletown wished to meet a popular contortionist of America’s Got Talent fame last year, thanks to the 2019 Jersey Mike’s Subs“Month of Giving” Campaign, which raised over $458,000 for Make-A-Wish New Jersey in March 2019. Jersey Mike’s Subs and Make-A-Wish New Jersey are partnering once again this year for the 2020 March “Month of Giving”, to raise funds for more wishes for children with critical illnesses in the months ahead. The campaign kicked off March 1st.

Calista was diagnosed with a critical, life-threatening heart condition at birth. When she was born, the doctors knew immediately that something was wrong.

“She was born blue, and she was immediately taken from us,” her mother Diana shared. “We only saw her for a few minutes before she was flown out for emergency surgery, only five hours after she was born.”

Calista would be in the hospital for the first three weeks of her life. Her family spent those days learning what Calista would face in her future – for the days, weeks and even years ahead – and how they would best be able to help through difficult times.

“We were determined to get her home in time for Christmas,” Diana remembers.

And they were.

“Calista is still delicate,” Diana reflected. “She continues to face things. She had a procedure two years ago to have a balloon placed in one of her valves. She’s had chest pain recently, and we are always checking her pressure. Sometimes she’s sad, wondering why this happened to her.”

When she was just four years old, Calista began to take an interest in dance and gymnastics. Unable to participate in high-cardio sports, dance and gymnastics were an outlet for Calista. She quickly excelled in gymnastics, and so she immersed herself in it. But one particular style stuck out to her – contortion.

Calista began following the famed contortionist from America’s Got Talent Sofie Dossi on social media, admiring her skills and her determination. After Calista was referred to Make-A-Wish and asked the powerful question, “If you could have one wish, what would it be?”, she knew it was the chance of a lifetime.

Calista wished to meet her gymnast hero, Sofie Dossi.

“She lives in California,” Diana shared. “It honestly never occurred to us that Calista could meet her. We were shocked to find out her wish was granted. Calista was elated!”

Calista and her family flew to Southern California to experience the life-changing power of a wish. Calista was in awe of the moment she met Sofie Dossi, but they quickly became close by the time their meeting had concluded, it was as if they had always been friends. Calista shared a poster she had created for the momentous occasion with Sofie, and spent her time asking her countless questions about her career. Calista even found out that they both started gymnastics at the same young age. They worked on a few stunts together, and Calista was able to show off some of her accomplishments. In no time at all, they were going back and forth in new poses and stretches they wanted to show one another. Sofie even let Calista stand on her hips as she stretched into a backbend – a trick only her brother had done with her before.

“They treated us wonderfully,” Diana continued. “They spent personal time together, answered Calista’s questions, and Sofie’s mom was great too. She couldn’t wait to tell her friends all about it!”

Calista’s time spent with the famed contortionist was a moment that will remain with her forever. Since her inspiring visit last year, Calista became even more focused on honing her skills, and in July 2019, along with her two sisters, she competed in the AAU Junior Olympics in North Carolina - and won the Gold Medal in her age group.

“It takes a different mindset to do what she can do,” Diana shared proudly of her daughter. “She puts a lot into it.”

“I’m very careful with her,” Diana continued. “I support 100% whatever she endeavors to do. I am in complete awe of everything she’s done.”

Calista’s wish was granted thanks to the funds raised by local Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants as part of last year’s “Month of Giving” campaign, which granted over 40 wishes for kids like Calista. In March 2020, over 80 Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants throughout New Jersey will once again join forces with Make-A-Wish New Jersey, raising vital funds needed to aid the organization in their mission. The monthlong customer-donation campaign, which will culminate with the “Day of Giving” on Wednesday March 25th, a day when Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants donates 100% of the day’s sales, hopes to engage the local community and raise significant funds to grant wishes once again year. Since 2017, Jersey Mike’s Subs has donated over $1 Million to Make-A-Wish New Jersey.

Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted nearly 11,000 wishes since its inception in 1983. The generous support of corporations like Jersey Mike’s Subs is critical to the organization’s continued success.

For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey and the Jersey Mike’s Subs “Month of Giving,” visit nj.wish.org/jerseymikes.