Fourteen-year-old Rodney is a big kid with a big heart. At 6'2", he stands tall over most people his age. But his physical stature isn't the only characteristic that sets him apart. His uncommon generosity showed up in his wish when he told volunteers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central and Southern Arizona, "I want to be a magician and do magic shows for other sick kids in the hospitals."
Wish granters paired Rodney with a magician named Lou, who performs as "The Amazing Luigi." Rodney and Lou spent almost every Saturday together for four months. During their encounters, Lou helped Rodney hone his skills as a magician.
The two had more in common than just a love for magic. As a child, Lou battled a fierce illness. During his bout, his doctor – Dr. Bob – made a deal with Lou that if he was brave about his treatments, he could pick out a magic trick. Soon, Lou had plenty of tricks, but no knowledge of how to use them. Dr. Bob put Lou in touch with his brother Bert, who taught him how to be a magician. Now, Lou was doing the same for Rodney!
After several months of training, Rodney was ready to become "The Amazing Rodini." With funding from Discover Financial Services, Inc., he ventured to the pediatric floor of St. Joseph's Hospital and began his astonishing performance. The children rolled up in their wheelchairs and pushed their I.V.s to gather around "The Amazing Rodini." The children's friends and families also watched the teen magician perform captivating tricks. At one point, a little boy exclaimed, "Mom, how did he do that?"
It's magic.
And it's Rodney's way to share the power of a wish® .
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I am proud of you. Your wish helped others take their mind off their pain for awhile. Thank you for helping others.
- Julia 01/06/2007 13:32 -
Its sheer magic that the worid has such wonderful poeple like you. May god bless you in everything that you do.
- Arjun 01/23/2007 13:15 -
This is a great way to entertain the other sick kids. What a great show you must have put on.
- Emma 01/19/2007 20:06 -
Rodney, I love how even though the wish was meant specifically for you, you used it to make so many other sick children smile. Thank God for people like you! May God bless you the way you blessed those children.
- Kimberley 03/21/2008 4:58 -
You're a magician alright! You were able to make the bad in the world disappear for a moment in time.
- Laura 03/20/2008 18:12 -
You wonderful boy. You helped others by doing what you love to do. may God bless you, Rodney!! ALLAKAZAAM!
- Lauren 04/14/2008 12:01 -
You received a gift that keeps on giving! In that way, the gift will go on and on in the memory of all those other children too. Way to go, Rodini!
- Geoff 09/30/2008 8:05
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© 2006-2009 Make-A-Wish Foundation of America