Did you know that Wish of a Lifetime is a charitable affiliate of AARP that grants life-changing wishes to older adults (similar to Make-A-Wish) as they look to inspire people to age with hope and joy?
This month, they are granting a wish that proves you are never too old for a little theme park magic. Dorleane, a 70 year old devoted mother and full-time caregiver from East Point, GA, will travel to Universal Studios this November, a place she hasn’t visited in over 20 years. This trip holds deep meaning for Dorleane: it’s where she shared one of her last joyful family memories with her late husband Carl and their three children before his unexpected passing two decades ago. Wish of a Lifetime from AARP is proud to make this dream a reality.
Dorleane spent 36 years working in public service for the City and County, but her greatest commitment has been caring for her daughter Tiffany, who lives with Type 1 diabetes and epilepsy. When Tiffany contracted COVID-19 in 2020, she was placed on a ventilator and had to relearn how to walk and speak. Since then, Dorleane has been her round-the-clock caregiver, administering her medication and performing at-home dialysis before sunrise. Since the death of her husband, Carl, Dorleane has balanced single parenthood, full-time work, and Tiffany’s care, making family trips nearly impossible—until now.
Dorleane’s wish is to revisit Universal Studios, the place where she spent one of her happiest days. She’s especially excited to experience the new Isle of Berk attraction, inspired by one of her favorite movie franchises, How to Train Your Dragon. This trip is not only a visit, but a chance to reconnect with a place filled with family joy and create new memories with Tiffany.
Big thank you to Wish of a Lifetime and Universal Orlando for making this happen! Their favorite bites were the candy coated pecans 🙂
Learn more, donate, or nominate a loved one for a wish at https://wishofalifetime.org/
