Parent Blog - I will always be grateful for the smile Make-A-Wish brought to my son’s face

Abdullah was born with a genetic blood condition called Thalassemia Major. In this condition, the body can’t make red blood cells on its own, so he's needed regular blood transfusions for his entire life. He had his very first transfusion at just four months old. I still remember how difficult it was back then — finding a vein for the cannula was such a struggle. Sometimes the nurses would try seven or eight times, but still couldn’t find a good one. It broke our hearts to see him go through that. As a family, we went through so much — emotionally, physically, everything.

But six months after the transplant, things took a terrifying turn. It started with small ulcers in his mouth, and before we knew it, they turned into two large fistulas — holes in the roof of his mouth. It was a life-threatening infection. The doctors tried everything — multiple biopsies, countless medications: antifungals, antivirals, antibiotics, high-dose steroids… but nothing worked. They couldn’t even identify what the infection was. And Abdullah just kept getting worse. He was in constant pain, unable to eat, drink, or even speak. He had to be on oxygen 24 hours a day and became so weak… it was the darkest time of our lives.

We held on to faith. We prayed and begged God for mercy — for a miracle. And somehow… it came. Slowly, almost unbelievably, he started to get better. The infection began to clear, and the fistulas healed on their own. Even the doctors were stunned. They still don’t know what the infection was or how he recovered. They called him their “miracle boy” — and truly, he is.

Abdullah ended up spending over two and half years in the hospital. He missed three and a half years of primary school. But he never lost his spirit.

During this time — right in the middle of Covid — Abdullah was referred to the Make-A-Wish team. His original wish was to go to Disneyland Paris, but because of travel restrictions, that couldn’t happen. So instead, he chose to visit Scotland, a country close to our hearts but he had never been too. He’d only heard stories about it from me, and always wanted to see it for himself.

Make-A-Wish made it so special. They planned every little detail, booked us into beautiful hotels, and made sure the whole trip was unforgettable. It was the first time in so long that we got to go somewhere as a family — to laugh, to relax, and to feel joy again. Abdullah had the best time. We all did.

I truly believe the Make-A-Wish team is doing something extraordinary. Children like Abdullah go through so much — pain, isolation, fear — things no child should have to face. A wish gives them something magical to hold on to. It brings joy, hope, and precious memories that stay with them forever. We will never forget what Make-A-Wish did for us, and I will always be grateful for the smile they brought to my son’s face.

Kind regards,

Zara Hassan