Ailing Henderson teenager gets the trip of a lifetime

After years of struggling with a neurological disorder, 14-year-old Green Valley High School student Hernan Andrade Jr. had his dreams come true by visiting the beaches of Hawaii.

"He was so excited," said Maribel Andrade, Hernan's mom. "He has stayed so positive throughout everything. He is just so strong. Now he always says, 'Wow, I had my dreams come true.' Make-A-Wish made this happen."

Hernan was a pretty typical child, playing sports such as baseball and playing the tuba in marching band .

"He was pretty much normal three years ago," Andrade said. "We started noticing little problems and took him to a foot doctor."

At 11, Hernan was diagnosed with syringomyelia with chiari, a malformation that pushes the brain down onto the spinal cord at the base of the skull, causing a buildup of fluid.

Hernan also was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

The diagnoses took their toll as Hernan endured many surgeries.

"He almost died in his last surgery," Andrade said.

Hernan can no longer walk without assistance and has lost sensation on the right side of his body.

Because of the severity of the situation, Hernan's doctor told the family that the Make-A-Wish Foundation had been contacted about granting a wish for Hernan.

"Our mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy," said Jeanne Frederick, the director of development for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada .

Frederick said the organization usually gets referrals from any doctor, nurse or school staff member .

After background checks and paperwork, the organization meets with the family to determine the child's wish.

"We have skilled wish coordinators who work hard," Frederick said. "They are trained in such a way that even if a child doesn't know their dream or wish, they can help them discover what that one wish is."

Frederick said there are four types of wishes: a wish to be, a wish to go, a wish to do and a wish to have.

"Imagination is the only limit," Frederick said. "We make sure that all the wishes are doctor-approved, especially wishes that might involve travel."

Make-A-Wish of Southern Nevada has granted more than 2,150 wishes since its inception in 1996. Wishes range from helping children , ranging from ages 2 to 18, become a rock star or a doctor for a day to transforming them into SpiderMan or a knight from the Chronicles of Narnia.

"We didn't think we would actually get it," Andrade said. "Hernan is very proud. He doesn't want anybody to feel sorry for him."

As far as Hernan had seen on television, Make-A-Wish granted wishes only for children who were about to die, which Andrade said Hernan wasn't.

The foundation came to the Andrades' home and asked Hernan several questions about his goals and wishes.

Hernan began describing the beach and how it was one of his favorite places in the world.

But Hernan also told the foundation about his interest in volcanoes .

"Hernan is really smart," Andrade said. "And I am not just saying that because he is my kid. He is really smart and has always been interested in science."

A few weeks later, Hernan found out his wish had been granted.

"We were very grateful," Andrade said. "All the volunteers were just so helpful in assisting us."

The foundation flew Hernan, his parents and his brother to Hawaii from April 16 to 22, taking them to visit the Volcanoes National Park and Hilo and Kona beaches.

"I can't tell you how beautiful it was," Andrade said. "Hernan was just amazed how green it was."

Hernan also participated in a luau, went snorkeling and took a helicopter tour.

"We ate so much," Andrade said.

Hernan is currently going through physical therapy to help with walking. Andrade said doctors do not know if he will have to go through another surgery anytime soon.

Contact Henderson and Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.