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“I wish to have a voice.”
Dalton , age 9
Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana Chapter
   
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This wish story makes me feel:
  

More than anything, 9-year-old Dalton wanted to have a voice. Born with a neurological disorder, Dalton struggled to communicate as the illness’s side effects – seizures, speech problems and loss of nerve function – took their toll.

Dalton never let his illness stop him from living his life and enjoying the things he loves, like being read to, listening to Shania Twain and playing games with talking devices. However, as Dalton got older, his desire to communicate with his family grew even stronger.

When volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation® visited Dalton and his family to discuss his one true wish, he and his family requested a special speech device that will allow him to communicate. When Dalton’s speech device arrived, he and his family were overjoyed. “There are no words to explain what it means,” said Dalton’s mom. “It’s going to change our lives … it has already in the two weeks he’s had it.”

Using a touch screen with pictures and words, Dalton can select what he wants to say and the device then verbalizes it for him – thank you, please and I love you, to name a few. Dalton is working closely with his speech therapist to fully master his new device. His reaction to his wish being granted? His mom could voice that one for him: “It’s a dream come true. Isn’t it, baby?”

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Inspired Thoughts

  • Hey Dalton I am a 7th grader trying to help the Make a Wish Foundation and Dalton i want to let you know i am going to try as hard as i can to raise money for you, and I am going to get people to help me as well and Dalton just remember pray to God every night and trust me he will answer your prayers and so will I , i will help you as much as i can Dalton Have A Great Day :)
    - Shania 03/24/2010 10:47
  • This Story Really Got To Me Because Out Of All The Things In The World You Wanted A Voice It Just Shows How Much Some People Want Everthing You Have Inspired Me To Want To Help People With Disabilities And Illnesses Out.You Are Such A Fighter :)
    - Lauren 03/21/2010 12:57
  • I suffer from CP too, and I think that kids with this disorder should have a chance to make a wish.
    - Maggie Lourash 04/29/2010 14:25
  • Dear Dalton, Hey! I love your story, it makes me wanna help.... well it is. See my best friend and I have a Religion Final on a charity, and we both chose Make-A-Wish for it. We (mainly her) came up with an idea that if kids in my school pay $1 they could have a dress down day (i go to a Catholic School... which has uniforms) and the money will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. So we told it to our principal and she approved! i hope the money helps you and other children out! You are in my prayers, and i hope someday your wish will be granted! God Bless! Love, Ali :)
    - Alexandra (aka Ali) 05/23/2010 17:59
  • Dalton, Your story makes me want to cry, its so sad to hear whats wrong with you.Your story really got to me because everybody would want a voice. Your very strong and brave getting through all this.Well i hope all your wishes come true and everybody else. Well if i never read your story i dont think i would of never joined this Make a Wish foundation.Well stay strong. :) Just dont give up no matter how hard this is.Im going to help out as much as i can.I will pray for you and everybody else.( Love,Ashley &lt;3 )
    - Ashley 05/26/2010 11:03
  • Ahhhhh that's sweet!
    - elizabeth 05/26/2010 7:41
  • My daughter has Rett Syndrome and is unable to speak. You have chosen a wish that will give you endless possibilities in the future! I truly believe you deserve your wish and you will cherish it.
    - Heather 06/28/2010 14:23
  • i am a medically retired registered nurse,with an abundance of ; passion,hospice experience,and time.my fondest desire is to help the make a wish foundation to grant wishes to the medically fragile children and their families...like yours,Dalton. your story touches my heart and strengthens my resolve to volunteer my services in any way i can to brighten the lives of other children like you.thank you for the inspiration!!!
    - jamie 08/08/2010 19:20
  • Dalton, i love your story, i read a book once it was about a guy who had cerebral palsy like you it was called petey. i love your story, keep talking!
    - elizabeth 09/03/2010 16:59
  • Dalton, your story is super inspiring to us and anyone else who would read it. The way you dreams and didn't give up makes us just want to go out and make a difference. Thank you for that inspiration, keep fighting and shooting for the stars! "Its kind of fun to do the impossible" - Walt Disney
    - SarahEmily 09/24/2010 8:52
  • Dear Dalton, Your story is amazing and very inspiring. We are very happy for you and your family! You are such a brave person to never give up and keep fighting for a voice. Good luck!! -Love Cecilia and Andrea
    - cecilia and andrea 09/24/2010 8:47
  • This story is very inspiring. Your motivation to talk is touching and could help others who want the same thing to work hard to have their wish come true. We hope that you will always be happy because you deserve to have a wonderful and great life.
    - Stephanie jack and felipe 09/24/2010 8:44
  • Dear Dalton, We heard about your struggle and We are very sorry that you, at such a young age, have to go through this. We'll keep you in our prayers and we would love to hear back from you! You are awesome for being so strong through the hard times. your very brave and we wish we could be as brave as you someday. Love, Mariah Weese and Annissa Wilson Dowling Catholic High School
    - Annissa & Mariah 09/23/2010 10:35
  • I am glad to have read your story. I was glad to read that no matter what you still went on in life and you never let yourself down. I am happy for you that you got your wish granted.
    - Minelia 09/23/2010 7:37
  • Dalton your story is really inspiring. Way to find a way to speak! Keep on talking!
    - Charlie and Braxton 09/23/2010 7:00
  • march, 2011, i'll be launching a benefit for make-a-wish. i can't waite,for it's children like dalton that makes it worth it all;
    - DAVID GARDNER 09/27/2010 16:47
  • I want to thank Dalton for opening my eyes. I'm 14 and I complain about the most stupid things in life, like not having a phone. People don't realize how lucky they are!!! They have health, legs, arms, a voice, a family and a home, yet we complain because we don't have the new iphone 4, or a laptop etc.. And there are unlucky people with life-threatning illnesses and they're only wish is health, hands, feet, or a voice. Things people take for granted every day. So thank you Dalton!!! I hope you have a happy and wonderful long life!!!!!!!!! =)
    - Diana 10/21/2010 14:14
  • Dalton, I just want you to know that no matter how hard life gets you should never give up. God really does answer prayers; just from reading your story and not even truly knowing you as a person....i can already tell you are a genuinely kind person who just wants to be normal like everyone else. Since i have deaf parents I've learned to never treat anyone any differently just becauae of race or a disorder that one is born with. Everyone is the same in Gods eyes; and Dalton, you are one of the many twinkles in his eyes that shine bright day and night because you are so precious. God Bless You and remember to never let anyone put you down!!!
    - Victoria 10/26/2010 12:23
  • Dalton i really am soo happy for you . my son emmanuel has alot of similiar symptoms and thank god you are able to communicate with youre family.. my prayers and love r with you buddy...
    - amanda 11/23/2010 17:39
  • Awww! Thats so sweet he is very lucky to have his wish granted!
    - Tristen 12/07/2010 13:47
  • Hey Dalton, Im Zaria im 12 years old in the 6th grade im so happy that you got the speech device to help you. I will try my best to save up money to help you and others at make a wish. I wish you the best with your speech device i love you dalton.
    - zaria 01/29/2011 8:52
  • Dalton, I am a student at Green Mountain College and as my final paper in my writing class, I have to write a paper on an organization I beleive is authentically patriotic, and I chose Make A Wish. Reading your story brought legitimate tears to my eyes as I am so excited for you. I work at a summer camp for people with special needs and aspire to be a teacher for those with special needs when I get out of college... I am so happy for you to be able to communicate with everybody. Good luck in everything you do! :)
    - Jessica 04/04/2011 16:36
  • Hey Dalton, your story was touching and you truly deserved your wish. I'm so ecstatic for you and your family. May I wish you the best in the future.
    - Emma 04/18/2011 20:33
  • Dear Dalton i have many friends with cp im in 8th grade and i just want to say your story is inspirational
    - Matt 04/22/2011 11:46
  • Dear Dalton, I cried reading your story. I hope you are now healthier. Your story made me want to give to Make a Wish.
    - Jean 05/07/2011 11:36
  • My step sister has CP but she can talk and she's 19....I had a friend in 3rd grade who had CP and the school donated 1 of those talking devices to his family. One day we had a field day and someone lied and said I was making fun of him and I got in trouble and had to spend the day with him....which wasnt really much of a punishment cause he was really fun to be around. I hope u get better Dalton. :)
    - Mysti 11/04/2011 5:31
  • That's amazing that your wish got granted :) its so inspiring to know that you are able to stay strong. we all want a new car or new phone but we are all taking for granted the things we already have. Keep fighting no matter how hard life gets, it will always get better.
    - Maddy 11/14/2011 20:56
  • I am doing my best to raise money for you and other wish kids!! Congrats on getting your wish!! I <3 you and other wish kids!!
    - Savannah 01/08/2012 10:16
  • What a gift, to find your voice! I ran across your story while I was searching for ways to volunteer in my home town. Keep talking, you never know who might hear you! Love you, stay strong. ......Robbie
    - Robbie 01/21/2012 21:42

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