Rantoul Boy's Heartfelt Wish Comes True with 4-Legged Friend from Make-A-Wish

Share this @internewscast.com

RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — A heartfelt wish came true for a family in Rantoul when their son, Ezra, received his Make-A-Wish dream this week.

Ezra, who is just two years old, suffers from an incurable condition affecting his brain and spinal cord. Despite these challenges, Ezra’s radiant smile brings joy to everyone around him. Thanks to Make-A-Wish, he now has a new furry companion to bring even more happiness into his life.

Field of Flags: More than a community service project in Champaign

“Norman chose us, and especially chose Ezra,” shared Ashley Thornton, Ezra’s mother.

It was a moment of instant connection when Ezra’s wish was fulfilled. Norman, their new canine friend, quickly bonded with the family, making the selection process easy. Thornton explained that upon meeting, Norman didn’t want to leave their side.

“GM1 gangliosidosis is a rare, terminal neurological condition,” Thornton explained. “Over time, it progressively deteriorates everything.”

“Children with that type typically don’t live past their fifth birthday, and Ezra will be three in January. With the decline that we’ve seen in the past month, we’re not sure if we have that long,” Thornton said.

However, they will be making the most of every single second, hoping to bring as much joy to their son as he does to them.

“He enjoys singing, when we sing to him. He loves music,” Thornton said.

Ezra also loves his siblings so much — and his siblings love him right back.

“For him to be able to smile when he sees me and when he gets in the car, he’s always laughing and kicking his legs and looking at me. It just makes me so happy,” Ezra’s sister Kendall said.

Thornton said that choosing a wish was tough to narrow down, but Norman turned out to be more than they hoped for.

“It’s something that stays constant in Ezra’s life, and unfortunately, after Ezra is no longer with us, this is something that will be constant for the whole family,” Thornton said.

Ezra found a way to show them they made the right choice when they first picked Norman up.

“Ezra doesn’t cognitively know how to pet a dog or know what it is to apply pressure or how to do it in the correct way. Ezra laid his hand on Norman and just started petting him in the most gentle, loving, caring way,” his mom shared.

Because sometimes, the greatest wish isn’t what you ask for, it’s the love that finds you.

Thornton also said that Make-A-Wish didn’t just cover Norman’s fees, but they’re paying for his training. Her goal is for their new puppy to be a therapy dog, to help more kids like Ezra.

Share this @internewscast.com

Facebook X Reddit Pinterest

Rantoul Boy’s Heartfelt Wish Comes True with 4-Legged Friend from Make-A-Wish

Up next

PayPal Billionaire Issues Urgent Warning on Rising Global Communism Threat

Author

Internewscast

Tags

Share this @internewscast.com

Shooting Incident at Orange County 7-Eleven Leaves Man Injured

EU Set to Impose Sanctions on Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Amid Intensifying Protest Suppression

Ballad Health Unveils Plans for New Hospital in Unicoi County

Putin Engages in Crucial Talks with Syria’s Interim Leader on Future of Russian Military Bases

Florida Substitute Teacher Detained for DUI in School Parking Lot Incident

Daytona Gardens Apartments Designated as Nuisance Property Following Frequent Police Interventions

Score Big Deals: SUVs for $400 and Dump Trucks for $1K at Orange County Auction!

Health Charity Warns: Rising Gang Violence in Haiti Fuels Alarming Surge in Sexual Abuse Crisis

Beloved Bristol Eatery Platter & Pour Announces Unexpected Closure: Community Reacts

Tragic Shooting in Knoxville: Man Fatally Shot Amid Police Response to Endangered Child Alert

Husband Denies Involvement in Wife’s Murder During Double Homicide Trial Tied to Au Pair Affair

Several States Consider Eliminating Property Taxes for Homeowners

Shocking Crime: Man Brutally Stabs Elderly Father 26 Times and Steals Classic Car in Fit of Rage

DHS Recognizes Illinois Woman as Victim in Alleged Abuse Case Involving Immigrant Released Under Sanctuary Policies

Costco Faces Legal Challenge Over $4.99 Rotisserie Chicken: Consumers Seek Transparency

Water Rates Set to Increase by 5.4% Starting April

Rantoul Boy’s Heartfelt Wish Comes True with 4-Legged Friend from Make-A-Wish

Up next

Author

Internewscast

Tags

Share this @internewscast.com

You May Also Like