"I Wish To Go on a Disney Cruise"

Eleven-year-old Deante and his family know all too well the pains and stressors of treating a life-threatening medical condition. Deante is from St. Paul and has short bowel syndrome, a serious condition that causes uncomfortable side affects and requires the use of a feeding pump. For him, the hardest part of his illness is being in the hospital for long periods of time, away from his family. All the doctors and specialists he sees, and the many follow-up visits that at times seem never ending are hard too. Says his mom, Brenda, “Where some kids have sports […] Deante has medical needs.”

Yet for De’, as he prefers to be called, his illness doesn’t run his life; it’s simply a part of it. Over the summer, De’ had his first experience whitewater rafting, which was a total blast and something his whole family plans on doing again! A good game of basketball or a challenging match of Monopoly are fun ways to spend an afternoon; he also likes to watch movies. So far Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is his favorite flick, but he’s pretty sure Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will be his new favorite once he sees it. De’ also doesn’t miss an episode of American Idol, and was disappointed last season when his top pick, Bo, didn’t win.

When the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Minnesota asked De’ what his number one wish was, the first thing he considered in making such an awesome decision was his family. He contemplated the endless possibilities before he decided a wish to go on a Disney cruise was the perfect wish for him.

In March, De’s wish came true when he and his siblings took their very first plane ride to Florida where the cruise ship departed from. Highlights of the trip included parasailing and a stop in Nassau , Bahamas . What he loved best, though, was all the time he had to spend with his family outside of the hospital. This time their days were filled with laughter and joy rather than doctor appointments.

It's has been a tough year for Deante and his family, losing a cousin who was also battling a life-threatening medical condition and dealing with the many other challenges that have come their way. Yet through it all, De’ remains a sweet natured boy who had the time of his life on his Disney Cruise!