One day at Khaleb’s routine pediatric appointment, one of his nurses suggested we apply for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I did not know much about it, so she gave me a card to her point of contact. I emailed the lady on the
card and she gave me a call that afternoon.
She explained the process starts with an application and that we would be contacted afterwards. Once we were contacted, there was a lot of information that had to be confirmed and provided. This all took about a month. Khaleb was heavily into WWE back then, so his wish was to meet John Cena.
One evening, we received a call that Khaleb’s application was approved and we needed to schedule a meeting to go over the details. They scheduled for us to meet at Red Robin for dinner. At dinner, they announced to Khaleb that his
wish had been approved and he would meet John Cena soon. He was ecstatic. They also brought him a John Cena toy to congratulate him. As we went over paperwork and specifics, I had an overwhelming feeling of happiness. I could not believe it was happening. Not only was Khaleb going to get to meet his favorite wrestler but Make-A-Wish had planned a whole weekend for us and paid for everything. They even set us up with a nice rental car for the drive up.
We lived in Georgia at the time, and they told us that we would be going to Greenville, South Carolina in 2 weeks to attend Monday Night Raw. As time grew closer, we told our families to be on the lookout of for us on television.
On the morning of our trip, we loaded up the car and headed to South Carolina. When we arrived at the hotel, we noticed how beautiful and huge it was. We also noticed a line of trucks with WWE Wrestler advertisements on them.
It was then, we realized that we were staying at the same hotel as the wrestlers. How exciting. Once we checked into our room, we were greeted with a table full of snacks and gifts; shirts, hats, toys, you name it.
After getting settled in, the foundation treated us to dinner at a local brick oven pizza spot; Khaleb’s favorite. Getting anxious for what was to come that evening, we headed back to the hotel to change because we had a schedule
to stick to. Khaleb got dressed in his John Cena shirt, headband, armbands, wrestling belt, and we did the same for MJ who was only 5 months at the time. Downstairs we were greeted by the driver of a long, black, luxurious limousine.
The driver asked if his name was Khaleb. With his eyes wide, he shook his head yes. The limo ride was an awesome experience.
As we arrived at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, we noticed an exceedingly long line outside. The limo driver pulled us to the very front and opened our doors. Everyone was staring at us and taking pictures. A lady even asked if she
could take a picture with Khaleb, not even knowing who he was lol. We were escorted through a side entrance and given special passes where security guards escorted us backstage to a waiting area. We were greeted by a Make-A-Wish representative to confirm information and prepare Khaleb to meet John Cena. As we waited in anticipation, I could feel my heartbeat through my chest; I can only imagine how Khaleb was feeling.
The curtains opened and John Cena came in. Even though Khaleb cannot make facial expressions, I knew in my heart that he was smiling. He sat down with John Cena and talked. John Cena brought Khaleb a whole gift bag of swag. As
they sat and talked, John Cena autographed everything. Khaleb even got an autographed hat for his best friend Lucas.
After we took pictures, the security guards escorted us to our private front row seats; no one beside or behind us, and security guards at the ends of our section. As we enjoyed Monday night Raw and all the front row action, Khaleb
asked when John Cena was coming out. “Soon”, I told him. About 5 minutes later, they played John Cena’s theme music and Khaleb turned to look at me. His eyes were glued on him the entire time. John Cena ran to the ring and
jumped in. When he stood up, he looked over and pointed to Khaleb. Wow, just WOW! What a lucky kid?! For the rest of the time, Khaleb did not want us to talk to him because he was so focused on John Cena winning his match; and he
did.
After everything was over, our security guards escorted us through a secret exit where our limo was waiting on us. As we slid into the limo, Michael had people yelling “John Cena” because they thought he was him lol. The entire night Khaleb played with his toys and gifts. The next morning, the Make-A-Wish Foundation treated us to a private morning at Frankie’s Fun park where Khaleb played endless games for hours. He really enjoyed that.
We talked about his priceless experience the entire trip home. Thank you so much to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and WWE for Khaleb’s unforgettable experience and for all the experiences they are providing for children in need.
One day at Khaleb’s routine pediatric appointment, one of his nurses suggested we apply for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I did not know much about it, so she gave me a card to her point of contact. I emailed the lady on the
card and she gave me a call that afternoon.
She explained the process starts with an application and that we would be contacted afterwards. Once we were contacted, there was a lot of information that had to be confirmed and provided. This all took about a month. Khaleb was heavily into WWE back then, so his wish was to meet John Cena.
One evening, we received a call that Khaleb’s application was approved and we needed to schedule a meeting to go over the details. They scheduled for us to meet at Red Robin for dinner. At dinner, they announced to Khaleb that his
wish had been approved and he would meet John Cena soon. He was ecstatic. They also brought him a John Cena toy to congratulate him. As we went over paperwork and specifics, I had an overwhelming feeling of happiness. I could not believe it was happening. Not only was Khaleb going to get to meet his favorite wrestler but Make-A-Wish had planned a whole weekend for us and paid for everything. They even set us up with a nice rental car for the drive up.
We lived in Georgia at the time, and they told us that we would be going to Greenville, South Carolina in 2 weeks to attend Monday Night Raw. As time grew closer, we told our families to be on the lookout of for us on television.
On the morning of our trip, we loaded up the car and headed to South Carolina. When we arrived at the hotel, we noticed how beautiful and huge it was. We also noticed a line of trucks with WWE Wrestler advertisements on them.
It was then, we realized that we were staying at the same hotel as the wrestlers. How exciting. Once we checked into our room, we were greeted with a table full of snacks and gifts; shirts, hats, toys, you name it.
After getting settled in, the foundation treated us to dinner at a local brick oven pizza spot; Khaleb’s favorite. Getting anxious for what was to come that evening, we headed back to the hotel to change because we had a schedule
to stick to. Khaleb got dressed in his John Cena shirt, headband, armbands, wrestling belt, and we did the same for MJ who was only 5 months at the time. Downstairs we were greeted by the driver of a long, black, luxurious limousine.
The driver asked if his name was Khaleb. With his eyes wide, he shook his head yes. The limo ride was an awesome experience.
As we arrived at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, we noticed an exceedingly long line outside. The limo driver pulled us to the very front and opened our doors. Everyone was staring at us and taking pictures. A lady even asked if she
could take a picture with Khaleb, not even knowing who he was lol. We were escorted through a side entrance and given special passes where security guards escorted us backstage to a waiting area. We were greeted by a Make-A-Wish representative to confirm information and prepare Khaleb to meet John Cena. As we waited in anticipation, I could feel my heartbeat through my chest; I can only imagine how Khaleb was feeling.
The curtains opened and John Cena came in. Even though Khaleb cannot make facial expressions, I knew in my heart that he was smiling. He sat down with John Cena and talked. John Cena brought Khaleb a whole gift bag of swag. As
they sat and talked, John Cena autographed everything. Khaleb even got an autographed hat for his best friend Lucas.
After we took pictures, the security guards escorted us to our private front row seats; no one beside or behind us, and security guards at the ends of our section. As we enjoyed Monday night Raw and all the front row action, Khaleb
asked when John Cena was coming out. “Soon”, I told him. About 5 minutes later, they played John Cena’s theme music and Khaleb turned to look at me. His eyes were glued on him the entire time. John Cena ran to the ring and
jumped in. When he stood up, he looked over and pointed to Khaleb. Wow, just WOW! What a lucky kid?! For the rest of the time, Khaleb did not want us to talk to him because he was so focused on John Cena winning his match; and he
did.
After everything was over, our security guards escorted us through a secret exit where our limo was waiting on us. As we slid into the limo, Michael had people yelling “John Cena” because they thought he was him lol. The entire night Khaleb played with his toys and gifts. The next morning, the Make-A-Wish Foundation treated us to a private morning at Frankie’s Fun park where Khaleb played endless games for hours. He really enjoyed that.
We talked about his priceless experience the entire trip home. Thank you so much to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and WWE for Khaleb’s unforgettable experience and for all the experiences they are providing for children in need.
