Make-A-Wish: Ashton Peckinpah

Make-A-Wish foundation gives kids with life-threatening medical conditions a chance to experience hope, strength, and joy in the midst of their battle. Make-A-Wish is near and dear to my heart because my family has been personally blessed by this organization. My cousin has been fighting his battle since he was a baby. Richard “Tyler” Deitz was born a healthy baby boy and was giggly just like every other baby. My aunt began to notice Tyler struggling to roll over or push himself up at 6 months old.

His parents then decided to take him to the doctor to see what may be the issue. They went to multiple hospitals where he was consistently diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. My family was told not to worry and to just give him some time. However, my aunt was not satisfied and wanted more answers. My cousin was eventually diagnosed at 18 months old with a rare metabolic disease called Gluteric Aciduria Type 2 by one of the leading Genetic specialists in the country, Dr. Winter at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, California. My family was told my cousin would not make it past his 8th birthday.

Gluteric Aciduria Type 2 is a rare disease that weakens Tyler’s muscles and unfortunately does not have a cure. Tyler has had over 20 surgeries from minor feeding tube placements to open-heart surgery. Tyler has struggled with breathing since his diagnosis and has always needed a breathing machine.

My family is so thankful for Make-A-Wish because this organization offered a glimmer of hope to Tyler and allowed him to experience a day that neither he nor our family will ever forget. My aunt was so impressed with the way Make-A-Wish treated her son and said, “Without the Make-a-Wish Foundation we could have never been able to do the things that we did on our own…we were treated like VIPs.”

Tyler’s wish was to watch a NASCAR race. Not only did Make-A-Wish send Tyler and his parents to Las Vegas to watch a race, but the organization also set up a time for Tyler to hang out with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tyler’s favorite NASCAR driver. Make-A-Wish went the extra mile with everything they did for Tyler. From getting a personal tour of the garages where the race cars where worked on to attending a church service with the NASCAR drivers themselves. Tyler and his parents even went on a tour around the track where the general public wasn’t allowed.

Tyler and the rest of my family are so thankful for this wonderful memory. Without Make-A-Wish it would not have been possible for Tyler to experience his childhood dream. Tyler and his family felt a sense of hope after this trip and they still talk about it to this day. It is a memory I know they will cherish forever. I want people to know that Make-A-Wish is a dedicated organization helping real families restore hope and experience a moment of pure joy. By the grace of God, Tyler is still alive to this day and we are thankful for every moment with him.