MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) – 78 children in North Alabama alone are Wish Kids with Make-A-Wish Alabama. This means 78 children living with critical illnesses are waiting for the organization to make their wildest dreams come true. For 13-year-old Micah, that wish is to go to Washington, D.C.
Micah was born with several heart defects caused by something called Heterotaxy.
“His heart was just failing, and he needed a transplant,” his mom Leah said.
The newborn couldn’t leave the hospital until he had one.
“He was three months old and a week when [doctors] said that they had found a heart for him and had his surgery,” she said.
Leah said that after that, Micah has led a relatively normal life. For the now-teenager, his only reminder of his heart transplant is the scars on his chest.
He also has to get routine check-ups a few times a year.
“Labs, and then he does X-ray, echo[cardiogram], an EKG, then he sees the nurse practitioner and doctor pharmacists,” Leah said.
Micah said he’s pretty used to it.
“I used to be scared of the blood work, but now it’s just like, I just get it over with and it’s fine,” Micah said.
It’s easy to tell, Micah is tough. He also finds joy in even the smallest things.
“I did a tennis tournament a week ago, and I got like destroyed!” he laughed.
He loves being active. In addition to tennis, he does the Transplant Games of America with his family. He also likes table tennis; however, his favorite hobby stands out. It’s much calmer than the rest: he’s a history buff, especially U.S. history.
“I think it’s really cool,” Micah said.
His mom said the past couple of years, the passion has really taken off.
“He would watch a documentary with his dad or talk to one of his grandfathers about different things about history, and then he would start asking questions about it. Then I realized, he knows way more than I do!” Leah said.
When they learned they were eligible for Make-A-Wish Alabama, Leah said she wasn’t surprised that Micah wanted to take a trip to the nation’s Capitol.
“He’s a pretty easygoing kid, and he’s really thankful for anything all the time.He’s not ‘I want this and I want that,’” Leah said. “To see him take the lead on this, it’s really special.”
Now, he’s putting the finishing touches on the list of all the things he can’t wait to do and see.
“The Declaration of Independence, like, you know, and like a state Capitol, the White House. There’s also some really good food options there. I do love food,” he said.
The donations given to the Wishes Can’t Wait telethon stay in North Alabama, helping some of the 78 children waiting right here in our area. If you’re interested in helping Make-A-Wish Alabama grant wishes for kids like Micah, click here.
Be sure to tune in to News 19’s telethon benefiting Make-A-Wish Alabama on June 11!
The post Make-A-Wish: Micah’s story appeared first on WHNT.
