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'It was pretty cool' - Ryan
"It was pretty cool."
Those words were the first out of 15 year old Ryan Wilson when the Citizen asked him about his weekend in Cleveland and
meeting his idol, Shaq O'Neal.
Ryan, his mother and father, Diane and Jamie, and brother Austin, through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, got to meet Shaq,
attending a Cleveland Cavaliers game Saturday where Ryan was able to talk to a couple of players.
O'Neal, who is injured, did not play but met with Ryan and his family after the game. Shaq autographed a jersey and the team also
presented him with an autographed basketball.
O'Neal, who Ryan called a "Teddy Bear", has been his favorite since he was in the second grade.
Why? Because, says Ryan, "He is a good person, cares about people and he lived up to what I thought."
Ryan also confessed to being a NBA fan watching as many games as he can. "After I do my homework, I watch the games which I
have taped."
Ryan, a freshman at AHS and an honor roll student who also loves music and plays percussion in the band, said he knew nothing
about what transpired starting last Thursday when his Wish was announced at a school-wide assembly. "I was shocked when it
was announced."
Immediately after the assembly, Ryan, his brother and parents, were driven by limo to Springfield for the flight to Cleveland via
Chicago. Even a five hour delay in leaving Springfield, didn't dampen his spirits. "They put us in the Sky Club and treated us real
nice."
Although they had a long day Thursday, Friday was full of sight-seeing. First was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, then several
hours at the Cleveland Science Center, later dinner at Dave and Buster's along with $20 each in coupons for use in the arcade.
After sleeping in, they didn't arrive until 1 a.m. Friday, the Wilsons had lunch Saturday at the Hard Rock Cafe then got to the
stadium for the game, sitting near courtside for the warm-ups.
Ryan, who says he just wants to be a regular guy, is battling osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones). He and his family thanked
the Make-A-Wish Foundation for making the experience possible. Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children with life-threatening
medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy.
What did Ryan learn from his experience? "Never give up on your dreams."
The family said, "We appreciate everyone's help in making this dream come true. It was such a wonderful experience, one that he
will never forget."
"It was pretty cool."
Those words were the first out of 15 year old Ryan Wilson when the Citizen asked him about his weekend in Cleveland and
meeting his idol, Shaq O'Neal.
Ryan, his mother and father, Diane and Jamie, and brother Austin, through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, got to meet Shaq,
attending a Cleveland Cavaliers game Saturday where Ryan was able to talk to a couple of players.
O'Neal, who is injured, did not play but met with Ryan and his family after the game. Shaq autographed a jersey and the team also
presented him with an autographed basketball.
O'Neal, who Ryan called a "Teddy Bear", has been his favorite since he was in the second grade.
Why? Because, says Ryan, "He is a good person, cares about people and he lived up to what I thought."
Ryan also confessed to being a NBA fan watching as many games as he can. "After I do my homework, I watch the games which I
have taped."
Ryan, a freshman at AHS and an honor roll student who also loves music and plays percussion in the band, said he knew nothing
about what transpired starting last Thursday when his Wish was announced at a school-wide assembly. "I was shocked when it
was announced."
Immediately after the assembly, Ryan, his brother and parents, were driven by limo to Springfield for the flight to Cleveland via
Chicago. Even a five hour delay in leaving Springfield, didn't dampen his spirits. "They put us in the Sky Club and treated us real
nice."
Although they had a long day Thursday, Friday was full of sight-seeing. First was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, then several
hours at the Cleveland Science Center, later dinner at Dave and Buster's along with $20 each in coupons for use in the arcade.
After sleeping in, they didn't arrive until 1 a.m. Friday, the Wilsons had lunch Saturday at the Hard Rock Cafe then got to the
stadium for the game, sitting near courtside for the warm-ups.
Ryan, who says he just wants to be a regular guy, is battling osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones). He and his family thanked
the Make-A-Wish Foundation for making the experience possible. Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children with life-threatening
medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy.
What did Ryan learn from his experience? "Never give up on your dreams."
The family said, "We appreciate everyone's help in making this dream come true. It was such a wonderful experience, one that he
will never forget."
Issue Date: Nov. 26, 2009
