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If 6-year-old Jonah had been born in a city like Barcelona or Liverpool, he’d fit right in. He would have a storied soccer club to support alongside a city full of kids just like him.
Instead, he was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and his local soccer club is even younger than he is. Though Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer doesn’t have a roster of legendary players and history spanning generations, it’s Jonah’s home team. And that’s all that matters to him.
When Make-A-Wish Foundation® volunteers met Jonah to find out his one true wish, he was dressed as a miniature Real Salt Lake player. Everything he could wear or dribble – shirt, shorts, boots, even a ball – bore the Real Salt Lake logo.
Jonah’s wish was to play with the Real Salt Lake squad at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Team captain and starting defender Kyle Beckerman led the team in granting Jonah’s wish. He was at Jonah’s side throughout a full Real practice. Beckerman started the wish by asking Jonah if he would like to kick the ball around.
“Before I even finished asking him the question, he was off to the middle of the field with his ball ready to take me on,” Beckerman wrote in his blog.
Jonah also got to attend the next night’s home opener against the Seattle Sounders. Before kick-off, MLS officials presented Real Salt Lake players with championship rings for their penalty-kick victory in last season’s MLS Cup championship. Beckerman took that chance to truly surprise Jonah – he arranged for Jonah to receive a championship ring.
Jonah also joined the halftime show, helping American Idol alum David Archuleta sing “Touch My Hand” in front of 20,000 fans.
During his two-day experience, Jonah and his family felt the burdens of his medical condition lift. It was a time to forget about his open-heart surgery last summer, and the ongoing treatments and blood transfusions he endures. Jonah’s mother, Jessica, knows the memories of his wish will be a source of hope, strength and joy.
"It is amazing to see where he's been in his life with his operations, and to be able to have this one incredible night for him is an amazing thing," Jessica told a reporter from ABC4.com.
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Bet you got a kick out of it, had a ball, reached your goal and proved to be a real team player! Okay, enough soccer jokes - but cool!
- Elyse 05/19/2010 21:31 -
Such a sweet story and a blessing to read.. And ironic at the same time.. My name is Jessica also and my son Jonah has had 2 heart surgeries with more to come.. When I read this Jonah had open heart surgery and his mom's name is Jessica, I was shocked :) I hope he is doing well!
- Jessica 09/11/2010 7:57 -
great story. your story will touch anybody that will ever read this. continue fighting in all you do and never stop.:) your an inspiration to all.`
- Calvin and Kenia 09/24/2010 9:00 -
i am sorry for your open heart surgery. But i am glad that you got to fulfill your dream. I hope one day you can go back and remember this day that your dream came true.
- Andrew & NIK 09/24/2010 8:55 -
Sounds like you had a awesome time with your wish of getting to play soccer! Its so cool you got to sing with David Archuleta too! Hope you're doing well and really enjoyed you're wish!
From
Sarah and Lauren
- Sarah and Lauren 09/24/2010 7:19 -
You go Jonah! We wish we could play soccer as awesome as you do! We hope you had an amazing time playing! And you got to sing with David Archuleta?! You lucky guy! :) Have a good day! Love, Taylor and Kaila
- Taylor and Kaila 09/24/2010 7:16 -
I am so glad Jonah got to play! He sounds like a sweet boy! I am praying for him:)
- christine lawler 09/23/2010 11:15 -
I Bet you had a BLAST practicing and hanging out with Kyle Beckerman!! Its Amazing the way he won the game and gave YOU the MLS Cup Champion Ring!! I bet you had a Fantastic Day with Kyle. Happy to know your dream came true take Care(:
- Alejandra&Alan 09/23/2010 10:45 -
I am so glad your wish came true!Wish you the BEST!!!!!
- Mayra 05/18/2011 11:16
