A little boy in a wheelchair writes down his holiday wishes in a letter to St. Nick.
November 21, 2003~
Dear Santa Claus:
My name is Johnny, and I am going to be 11 years old next month (actually, a month and 5 days; it will be a month EXACTLY the day before Thanksgiving). I was born on December 26, 1992.
I have blonde hair and blue eyes, and I wear glasses. I also should let you know that I am in a wheelchair. I can't walk so well anymore, and even if I DO walk, it's for short trips, and it is on crutches. I have a pair of forearm crutches I use for short trips, but I mainly use my wheelchair because I get so tired so fast. I have muscular dystrophy, which is making my muscles weak, and now I need a lot of help with a lot of things.
I don't want much for Christmas, but it's NOT because I have been bad. In fact, I have been a VERY good little boy, and if you don't know that, you can ask my mom or dad, and they will tell you the truth that I HAVE been good! HONEST I have! But since you HAVE to give me SOMETHING for Christmas, I guess I will tell you what I want now.
I want to stop worrying about my health and what the days ahead will bring. Not knowing of how my health is going to affect me preys heavily on a little kid's mind, and I don't like being scared about the future. I also don't like having problems come up unexpectedly (like with my seizures; after I have a seizure I am so tired, and I am so sore it isn't a BIT funny!) or having problems with my breathing. Santa, do you know how SCARY that can be?? I don't LIKE being short of breath, and I DON'T like having to go to the hospital and getting poked; that is the WORST! BUT, on the other hand, it DOES feel good when I DO get medicines or some oxygen, which, after a while, helps my breathing, and then, I feel so much better! I don't feel like I am going to die; and to me, feeling like I am going to die is about the worst feeling a kid can ever have!
Secondly, I want a toy remote HUMMER. I saw one at Wal*Mart the other day, and it was TOO cool; but the ONLY thing is, it is mondo expensive; and my mommy or daddy don't have that much money. All the money they DO have goes to us kids or going to the grocery store, so we can have food or other things. I come from a very large family, so money is tight; but I sure would love to have that HUMMER I saw at Wal*Mart! (Mommy and daddy both work, but it still is expensive to have a family like mine because it seems that all the money goes to us kids, and then mommy and daddy don't have much for themselves after taking care of us or paying the bills!)
Another thing I would like is a new mattress for my bed. The one I have now is all lumpy, and it hurts my skinny little body when I am in bed. I spend a lot of time in bed, and it really can get uncomfortable, if you know what I mean!
Shoes, that is another thing I need. The shoes I have now are starting to pinch my feet, and they hurt my toes. I also need new pants and new shirts, and oh! Let's NOT forget underwear! A guy can ALWAYS have new underwear! Or socks; that is another thing I need BADLY!
I also would like new forearm crutches. The forearm crutches I have now are old, and they are getting too short for me. I AM growing, you know. I AM still short for my age (I look at least 9 or so), but still, the crutches I use now are the ones I had from when I was five, and they are starting to pinch my arms when I put them on to use. You CAN get used ones at the new health store up the street; you DON'T have to get the expensive ones! (I would like my crutches to be harvest orange; that would be TOO cool!!) So, if you can get me orange crutches, I would be VERY happy!
Well, Santa, I can't remember much else what I would want for Christmas, but this is my wish list for a start. If I think of anything else, I will be sure to let you know, either by snail mail or by email. Until then, you take it easy, and be careful on Christmas Eve. And I will be sure to look for you at the store when we go shopping, and that way, I can tell you my wish list in person. You MAY be getting another letter from me, but it depends if I think of anything else to add to my Christmas wish list.
God bless you, and thanks for listening to me and reading my letter!
Love, Johnny Sandusky, aged 11 (SOON to be 11, that is; I am NOT quite there yet~ I am still 10 1/2 now!).
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Reviewed by serenety L
11/24/2003
This one makes me cry.
Touched my heart
You did a wonderful job with it.
Nico
Reviewed by Susan Sparks
11/21/2003
Karen: There are so many children in the world that deserve a wonderful Xmas and a wonderful every single day, for that matter. This is a excellent write. Thanks for sharing.
I love ur writes, Karen, but it hurts sooo much to think of a kid in that position, I want to buy him his hummer and his everything else, Peace, Ed & Rufuz
A short story of mine was included in an anthology of short fiction by fourteen of Port Town Publishing Company's authors. It is out of print and no longer available except as a download. Contact me at charlenetess@yahoo.com if you want it.
For the past two years (2006-2008) The Bridge of Silver Wings has earned a name for itself both as a series of poems published in different e-zines and as a book first published in 2007.
What makes this 2009 edition a special one is th
November 21, 2003~
