Fulfilled Twilight Wishes

Sisto, 82, started boxing at the age of 17 and was a professional boxer in Los Angeles, Arizona, and El Paso. He decided to quit boxing because his mother worried for his safety and would cry every time he stepped into a ring.  After one fight where his opponent hit him in the eye, he decided to stop boxing altogether to honor his mother’s wishes and has not boxed ever since.  He loves to reminisce about his boxing days and everyone he met along the way.  Sisto taught his sons to box, but they didn’t pursue it as a sport.   He is now confined to a wheelchair, but still dreams of showing young students “what he’s still got.”  His wish was granted  jointly by the Ladera Care and Rehab Center and Twilight Wish Foundation in May 2010. Thanks to the  instructors and students in the boxing program run by the New Mexico Sheriff & Police Athletic League for letting Sisto join their class.

Dee’s wish is for a 90th birthday party with her family and friends.  Her daughter wrote to us saying “She never asks for anything but always has given all she could.  She has never had a birthday party.”  Dee thinks a party with her family and friends would make her 90^th birthday special. She has suffered two strokes and is losing her eye site. She may not have many more birthdays.

On September 11, 2010, Dee’s wish for a party came true. With the help of Twilight Wish, the Los Angeles Lakers, Mobile Taco Man of Los Angeles, A1 Event & Party Rental and Von’s supermarket, Dee’s daughters were able to make Dee’s wish a reality.  The party, including a limousine service for Dee and her family, was attended by more than 100 friends and relatives.     

Mary, nursing home resident, had her simple, yet heartfelt wish for new wigs that fit properly granted, thanks to a partnership between Twilight Wish Foundation and her care center, Bedford Hills Care and Rehabilitation Center.  This partnership offers residents the opportunity to submit a “Twilight Wish” to the national foundation through an internal program known as “Wish Upon a Twilight Star.”

Mary, 90, began working at the young age of 15 to help support her family and was the oldest of four children.  She was married for just three months when her mother died at a young age.  Following her mother’s death, Mary was responsible for the care of her father and three younger brothers, as well as her husband.  In fact, Mary worked until the age of 82. 

“Caring for others is something she’s done all her life and she never had the chance to take the time to care for herself,” said Julie Hamilton, Solana Program Director who nominated Mary for this wish. “This will be Mary’s big day,” she added.  

Jackie Staiti, owner of Amanda Thomas Boutique, did a special wig fitting on May 5^th to find the perfect wigs for Mary.  Mary received her new wigs at a party held during the nationwide celebration of National Nursing Home Week, Thursday, May 13, 2010.  Special thanks to Jackie Staiti of Amanda Thomas Boutique, located in Amherst, NH, for donating her time and the cost of one of the wigs to Mary.

John has been a resident of SunBridge Healthcare’s Cypress Cove Care and Rehabilitation since 2005.  John loves lions; his room is decorated with them and he watches the University of North Alabama’s “Lion Cam” to see their lion mascots in action.  Because of John’s medical condition, he has never had the opportunity to see lions in person.  According to John, “If I can see a real live lion before I die, I will be a happy man.” 

John’s wish came true in May 2009, when he was transported by ambulance to the UNA campus where he saw their mascots, Leo III and Una, in person.

Carol’s wish was to visit her grandchildren in Rochester, NY.  In June of 2009, Carol traveled to Rochester courtesy of Continental Airlines.  She celebrated her granddaughter’s 16^th birthday and was able to attend her grandson’s high school graduation.