The 7-year-oldie's eyes were open wide as Mickey Mouse walked up to his wheelchair, leaned over, and gave him a hug.
Other excited kids crowded around and competed for attention.
But Mickey Mouse had come to Disneyland's City Park especially to meet Thomas Young.
"Hi, Mickey Mouse," Thomas said shyly.
Mickey shook his hand, then blew him a kiss.
Thomas smiled and blew a kiss back.
Mickey Mouse gently tweaked Thomas's nose.
Thomas laughed and squeezed Mickey's big black nose in return.
Thomas' was spending the day at Disneyland with his family, courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a national, non-profit organization that grants wishes to terminally ill children younger than 18.
Last October, Thomas began vomiting and having frequent, excruciating headaches.
A battery of tests revealed a malignant tumor in his brain.
He was admitted to San Francisco's Moffitt Hospital, where doctors operated and removed most of the tumor.
But finger like extensions of it had entwined themselves around his brain tissue, making further surgery impossible.
The cost of fulfilling wishes ranges from almost nothing to several thousand dollars, with the average wish running $2,500, Arnold said.
Pat Keller makes all the arrangements for wishes granted by the Greater Bay Area chapter.
Her husband, Don Keller, owns a small plane and donates his services as a pilot to Make-A-Wish whenever he can.
The couple's own son suffered from severe respiratory problems as a child.
"His first eight years were touch and go.
We were told we wouldn't raise him," Pat said.
"We were lucky -- he's made it.
"The experience with their son, she said, gives her husband and her "a feel for what these parents are going through.
"As wish coordinator, Pat spends as many as 40 hours a week arranging wishes.
Because some children are very close to death by the time Make-A-Wish is contacted, she sometimes has only two or three days to set up the fulfillment of a wish.
If a wish involves a trip, Make-A-Wish sends the child and his immediate family.
"All the family has to do is pack," said Pat.
The foundation provides plane tickets, arranges hotel accommodations, gives the family money for meals and souvenirs and makes up for any lost salary if a parent for any lost salary if a parent misses work for the trip.
[ back to Golden Gater Online May 2, 1986 ]
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