Meet Jake… and Josh! If you weren’t told, you would never know that these athletic 16-year-old twins have struggled all their lives with significant, genetic heart conditions. These great guys are athletes and are a dynamic duo who are always at each other’s side – even on the baseball field! Jake and Josh play on the same baseball team – Josh as catcher and Jake is a pitcher. Throughout the years, each of these twins have undergone serious surgeries – Jake underwent his first open heart surgery in 2006 and another in 2018 and again last summer. The valve that had been worked on twice was once again narrowing and another major surgery was required. Before his surgery, Wishes & More recruited long-time friend of the organization, HOF Twins Pitcher, Bert Blyleven, to surprise Jake with the news that his wish was approved and going to come true! This news helped this tough kid get through it and the entire recovery process, because at the finish line, Jake knew that the perfect celebration would take place on his wish trip to the Bahamas.
Jake shared with us his love for waterparks and the beach because swimming is an activity that is not restricted by his condition. Jake expressed numerous wishes on the top of his list, but his top two were a trip to Atlantis Bahamas, and to meet Joe from his favorite show, The Impractical Jokers! Jake’s trip at Atlantis was filled with lots and lots of time at the water park, visits to the teen club, and playing ball! Some highlights were a personal dolphin encounter, a behind-the-scenes tour of a sea-life sanctuary and, of course, slipping and sliding down some pretty cool water slides! This trip gave the entire family a chance to relax and simply enjoy some worry-free fun!
Last weekend, Jake and Josh were invited to our annual Winter Ball – “The 20s Roar Again!” Attendees will remember them as they were in 20s baseball uniforms greeting all our roaring guests! Jake was one of the wish kids on-stage where he assisted Kristoff the Magician with some slight-of-hand magic – and was surprised with his wish enhancement of tickets to the Impractical Joker show at Target Center! We can’t wait to hear more about the show and wish these two charming young men a great off-season before baseball season gears up again this Summer!
Jake’s wish reveal is featured here: https://youtu.be/bk2PBCPBZVk
