At a very young age, Joshua proved to be a fighter despite a medical case that stumped doctors around the country. Joshua has a heart anomaly resulting in an aorta that grew in the wrong place requiring surgeries at just a few months old. Fortunately, a doctor at a Denver children’s hospital felt compelled to solve Joshua’s case and help improve both the quality and longevity of his life. After just turning 7, Joshua’s medical journey may not be over, but his wish to go to the Colorado Rockies’ Spring Training in Arizona would prove to be a home run.

When Make-A-Wish Wyoming reached out to talk wishes, Joshua was right in the middle of his first t-ball season, which inspired his wish to meet the Colorado Rockies at Spring Training.

“He just loves baseball and that’s how this wish came to be about. We’ve been through the ringer with Joshua’s health and learning he may be inoperable. The timing of Spring Training and getting away into the sunshine was incredible after enduring another harsh Wyoming winter. They really rolled out the red carpet for Joshua at Spring Training. It was the most incredible thing ever,” says Joshua’s mom, Mary Beth.

From a limo ride to the field, to meeting the players in the clubhouse, the team pulled out all the stops to make Joshua the VIP. Together with his family, Joshua watched the team play baseball (and basketball!), and then the players and their head coach presented Joshua with his own Colorado Rockies jersey with his name on the back. Joshua also received signed baseballs, batting mitts, and even a player’s personal Louisville Slugger bat.

To top it off, one of the players even spoke with Joshua about his own heart condition and the heart surgery he had when he was a kid. He encouraged and inspired Joshua with words of wisdom: “even though I had surgery and still have to monitor my heart, I get to play baseball and focus on something that brings me joy, so you can too.” Their shared experience resonated deeply with Joshua and his family.

“I was in tears. When you hear that your son will never be a performance athlete it can be very discouraging, but after visiting with the team and talking with this player, I know baseball can still be something Joshua can do. Although he will be limited by a lot of things in his life, baseball can be something he finds joy in,” says Mary Beth.  

After returning home from their trip, one of the players reached out to Mary Beth and expressed how Joshua’s story greatly impacted him and inspired him to get involved with the children’s hospital to help encourage other kids.

“Make-A-Wish really gave us our heart’s wish. Not only just going to Spring Training, but as a break from life. Our family really needed it after learning Joshua may be inoperable. Being able to get away as a family was something much needed. From the wish reveal to our trip to Arizona, it has been amazing,” said Mary Beth.

The impact of a wish often goes beyond the child and family that experience them and Joshua’s story is proof that a simple wish can change lives. Your support is the reason we can make a difference by bringing experiences to kids like Joshua. Learn more about the power of a wish or how to refer a child and join us in helping other Wyoming wish kids at wish.org/Wyoming.