By REBECCA BILLS
FERNTREE Gully’s Jarrah Wright had his wish granted to swim with whale sharks by the Make-A-Wish foundation earlier this year.
Suffering from Cystic Fibrosis including, liver disease, portal hypertension and now diabetes, Jarrah, 14, had always dreamed of swimming with the giant creatures at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.
Jarrah, his parents Cathy and Paul and 11-year-old brother Jamal recently travelled across the country together to embark on a family holiday like no other.
Forgetting about hospitals and doctors’ appointments the family was able to spend quality time together like any other family.
Mr Wright said it was exceptional to finally be able to see Jarrah fulfil his dream.
“As I saw him in the ocean with these huge creatures I couldn’t help but feel in awe at their majesty,” he said.
“Seeing Jarrah have such a great time with the whale shark brought tears to my eyes.”
Jarrah has to have daily physiotherapy where he blows into a pressured mask for about 30 minutes, is on three antibiotic nebuliser pumps per day and needs as much aerobic exercise as possible to keep his lungs clear.
“I thought the remoteness added to the uniqueness (of the trip) as we weren’t able to use our phones so it was just us as a family without hospitals ringing,” Mr Wright said.
“Without Make-A-Wish we certainly would not have been able to go on such a trip.
“People don’t realise the enjoyment that families with sick children can get by being able to fulfil a dream for a child with a life-threatening illness.”
Jarrah is generally well, however has recently come out of a 10-day stint in hospital after his allergy to mould created a blockage, collapsing a lung and dropping his lung function to 60 per cent.
Jarrah said that he tries to take his health issues in his stride and finds that it is just part of his life.
“I will never experience what a normal person would experience, but I seem to cope with it quite well,” he said.
Jarrah said some of his day-to-day, difficulties include having to take medications at school and waking up early every day, but going on the Make-A-Wish trip was a truly amazing experience for him.
“I was amazed, it was the biggest creature I have ever encountered,” he said.
“I thought it wouldn’t be as big as it was, my heart nearly stopped when I first saw the whale shark.”
Mrs Wight said she found it distressing having a sick child and has to take each day as it comes.
“I do become overwhelmed and have the occasional panic attack, but I have no choice but to get on with it,” she said.
“Jarrah is very compliant and does things he needs to with minimal fuss.
“Overall, Jarrah is a happy-go-lucky kid and very well balanced which makes me so happy.”
“It is all he has ever known and I am so, so proud of him.
“I wish I could take it all away, but seeing how matter of fact and how well he copes really tells me we are doing something right.”
Jarrah now wants to travel in Cape Canaveral in Florida and watch the rockets take off at the NASA launch pad.
According to Cystic Fibrosis Australia, Cystic Fibrosis is the most common, genetically acquired and life-shortening chronic illness affecting young Australians today – primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system.
The Make-A-Wish foundation grants wishes of children, like Jarrah, with life-threatening medical conditions with every wish tailor-made for the child.
For more information about Make-A-Wish, visit www.makeawish.org.au or call 1800 032 260.
