Bergen County Child's Wish Granted By Make-A-Wish New Jersey

A local child’s wish recently came true thanks to Make-A-Wish New Jersey, whose mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Three-year-old Matthew’s wish to have a Sensory Playroom in his family’s home was granted through the 2019 Jersey Mike’s Subs “Month of Giving” Campaign, which raised over $458,000 for Make-A-Wish New Jersey in March.

Matthew and his family live in Maywood, New Jersey. Matthew courageously battles a seizure disorder that has a great impact on their day-to-day lives.

“Matthew has Dravet Syndome, a rare form of epilepsy that is hard to control even with multiple medications,” his mother Sarah shared. “His seizures first started when he was only three months old. Throughout most of his infancy we were seeing 80 to 90 seizures a month, which required frequent hospitalizations. Today, we are seeing far less seizures, usually in the teens, and this gives us an opportunity to focus on getting him physically stronger!”

Matthew must always remain close to home and to the hospital, so traveling can be difficult for their family. When asked that magical question, “if you could have one wish, what would it be?” the idea of a special place in their home that Matthew could call his own, a space filled with sensory-themed toys and activities that would be beneficial to Matthew, filled their entire family with hope and excitement. They knew that a special room for Matthew would be a life-changing experience and bring him joy every single day – and it has, since the granting of his wish just a month ago.

Community members became involved to help turn Matthew’s family’s garage into a special playroom. GarageTek of North & Central New Jersey dedicated their skills to preparing the play space and transforming it from a concrete garage to a warm, welcoming and inviting room for Matthew to spend countless hours in. Volunteers from FedEx donated their time on wish day to build and install all the exciting elements of Matthew’s room and make the room ready.

“Due to his genetic condition, Matthew also has pretty significant developmental delays,” Sarah continued. “This room transformation allows for us to invite all his therapists into our home so that Matthew can receive PT, OT, and speech therapy in the comforts of his home. Matthew receives seven therapies throughout the week so it has been nice to also use the garage as his therapy room. There is ample room for all his equipment, like his standers and enough room for him to use his gait trainer.”

Matthew’s room is filled with stuffed animals, books, games, a ball pit, soft matting to play on, tables, chairs, a play tent, building blocks, and even a heater and de-humidifier to control the environment for Matthew.

“Thank you so much again for all the love you poured out to the garage transformation!” Sarah shared. “We are so in love that we can't seem to get out of our garage! Through Matthew's conditions we realize just how many amazing people are out there to look after him!”

Matthew’s wish was also granted with funds raised by local Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants as part of this year’s “Month of Giving” campaign. In March, 67 Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants throughout New Jersey joined forces with Make-A-Wish New Jersey, raising vital funds needed to aid the organization in their mission. The monthlong customer-donation campaign, which culminated with the “Day of Giving”, a day when Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants donated 100% of the day’s sales, raised enough funds to grant nearly 50 wishes to kids like Matthew.

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, visit nj.wish.org.