EAST MEREDITH _ An East Meredith teenager found out Thursday that wishes do come true, as she arrived home from school to find a crew assembling a swimming pool in her backyard.
Anemarie Wenck was granted the wish through the Kids Wish Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children, according to Jill Atchison, Wish Network spokeswoman.
Kathleen Wenck, Anemarie's mother, said her sister, Jeanne Benson, submitted Anemarie's name for a wish but it took several years for her name to make it to the top of the list.
Anemarie was born with Trisomy 9, a life-threatening genetic defect.
Her mother said she was diagnosed when she was 9 months old and the family was told that she wouldn't live more than a year, and if she did survive, she would never walk.
Anemarie defied the odds and is now 18, attending school at Charlotte Valley Central School. She spends one day a week at Hartwick College working with Harriet, a seeing-eye dog in training.
Kathleen Wenck said she was encouraged by a friend to request a wish for Anemarie years ago, but she always felt that the family could provide for Anemarie, and she didn't want to deny another child a chance to have a wish fulfilled.
Deteriorating condition led
to request for wish
Three years ago, Anemarie's condition began to affect her spine. She developed scoliosis, and within six months, the curvature of her spine increased by 60 percent. That meant increased pressure on her lungs and required immediate surgery.
She had surgery on July 1, 2006, but complications developed, requiring a second surgery on Aug. 2.
By October, the family began to see regression, and by Halloween 2006, Anemarie could no longer lift her head.
She continued to decline, eventually becoming paralyzed from the waist down.
Stephanie Wenck, 22, Anemarie's only sibling, said the doctor's prediction had come true _ her sister couldn't walk.
Anemarie had a third surgery and was placed in a halo splint that she wore for six months. She was admitted to Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady.
"Everything was such an unknown about her condition, we didn't know if she would regain any function," Kathleen Wenck said. "But in a month, she left the hospital using a walker, but she still wasn't herself."
"We were scared that we had lost the Anemarie that we knew and loved," Stephanie said.
Eventually, Anemarie went for a checkup, and the doctor discovered that a screw from the rods that had been placed inside her was coming through her skin.
"They immediately did surgery, and it was like when they removed that screw, it brought Anemarie back," Kathleen said. "There she was, her old self again."
Three choices for a wish
When Anemarie was approved for a wish, her mother turned the process over to her teacher and an aide so she wouldn't influence her daughter's decision.
Each child has to choose three wishes. Anemarie's choices, in order, were a trip to Disney World, a trip on an airplane to a beach and a pool.
After the wishes are chosen, the child must wait for his or her turn, but the wish must be granted before age 19.
Before the wish was granted, her aunt and uncle, Michael and Kathy Wilcox, took the family on a trip to Disney World.
Anemarie is going to have a fifth surgery on Wednesday, so a plane trip was ruled out, and instead, she got her pool.
The above-ground pool was donated and was being installed Thursday by Hughes 21st Century Pool & Spa. Seward Sand & Gravel provided the sand and water to set the pool up, and other donors provided a solar heater and pool toys.
Atchison said the Kids Wish Network will also provide some furniture and other items to give the "Wish Kid" a beach in her own backyard.
Kathleen Wenck said Anemarie won't be able to use her pool until after she heals from her last surgery, but then it will be hard to keep her out of the water.
"She really loves to splash around in the water," Stephanie added as Anemarie and Harriet roamed around the backyard, waiting for the work to be complete.
Atchison said that to qualify for a wish, a child must be afflicted with a life-threatening condition or illness. People who know of a child between 3 and 18 who may be in need of the network's services can call (727) 937-3600 or toll free at (888) 918-9004.
For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org.
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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
