“I wish to have a jungle-themed room makeover.”Corbin , age 8
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At 8 years old, Corbin was “anything but a girly-girl,” according to her dad, Lino. She loved monkeys and other jungle animals and had a vivid imagination. And she hated the color pink.
Corbin and her brother Chandler, 9, were popular students at their elementary school and lived in a cozy home outside of Greensboro, N.C.
Late in 2008, Corbin was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an uncommon form of brain cancer. It wasn’t long before the tumors spread to her spinal cord, requiring a wheelchair to get around. When her mother and doctor referred Corbin to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® , wish-granting volunteers sprang into action. When it was determined that Corbin’s condition would make it difficult to travel, it was decided to give her a wonderland of her favorite animals right at home with a room makeover.
The work was done with the support and assistance of the Powell Company, which designs, imports and distributes youth furniture. Local Powell volunteers immediately helped plan the project with Corbin’s wish granters. Fortunately for the family, Powell’s East Coast distribution facility was located in Greensboro, and the company furnished Corbin’s room and her big brother’s, too.
Cameron Wannamaker, one of Corbin’s wish granters, said it was a tricky business to keep everything a surprise from Corbin while the room makeover was in progress. Wannamaker called on the services of her friend, an interior designer, who managed to come up with some amazing touches – a life-sized cheetah, jungle-themed rugs and more. The North Carolina Zoo donated stuffed animals. Best of all, Corbin’s dad, a tattoo artist, painted a mural covering the room’s walls that featured his daughter’s favorite creatures – monkeys!
At last, Corbin was wheeled into her room. “She couldn’t stop smiling,” Wannamaker said. Later, her dad, overcome with emotion, said he thought it was the first time Corbin smiled in months.
Corbin was so awestruck at the jungle wonderland, she asked on the first night if it was OK for her to actually sleep in the room.
Sadly, three weeks after her wish was granted, Corbin passed away. The many volunteers, friends and family took comfort in the joy they helped bring to a little girl who – if for a brief time – spent her days and nights surrounded by the fantasy land of her dreams.
“It was a real team effort, where everyone poured out their talents and skills to complete the project in a very short time,” said Wannamaker, a long-time volunteer whose father, Dr. Jerry Clark, founded the Central & Western North Carolina chapter in 1985. “As always, I felt proud to be associated with such a wonderful organization.”
This page can be found at http://www.wish.org/stories/fantasy/decorating_and_remodeling/corbin_jungle_room
© 2006- Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
