A Lemont girl had her wish granted Sunday.
Maddie Wesoloski, a high school sophomore who has a number of health issues, got a service dog puppy from the Illinois Make-A-Wish Foundation in grand fashion, with a parade at Lemont High School. The dog, Cooper, will go to obedience school and then for training as a service dog for Maddie to bring to school and out in public.
Some people ask the Make-A-Wish Foundation for a trip or to meet celebrities, but Maddie just wanted to have a dog she could take to school — and everywhere else.
Maddie’s health issues began soon after she was born, when she went blind in one eye and doctors discovered a cyst in her brain which has led to seizures. Since then, doctors discovered an aneurysm in her neck. She’s undergone frequent tests and treatments — her mother said she’s been under anesthesia at least 50 times — and these days her anxiety is spiking.
Nine months ago, she returned to the Lurie Children’s Hospital to deal with the cyst in her brain to try and see if it could be treated with surgery. That’s when Make-A-Wish contacted her parents.
“While we were there, one of the care managers asked if they could recommend her for Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said her father, Joseph Wesoloski.
The news was unsettling as he thought the Make-A-Wish program was for kids with terminal illnesses.
“I had a little freak out moment like, what are you trying to tell me here, but they are trying to branch out a bit,” he said.
The Make-A-Wish people offered the world to Maddie.
“They asked us, we want to give Maddie a wish, anything in the world,” said Theresa Wesoloski.
She said they offered trip, but this was in the middle of COVID-19. So Wesoloski asked Maddie what she wanted.
“She goes ‘I want my Cooper, he’s a golden retriever puppy, and a parade or a dog party and the dog park so all the dogs could come to the dog park for the party.'”
Due to COVID-19, the townwide dog party was nixed and the group agreed to a pet parade and, of course, Cooper.
Residents from throughout Lemont and from all three of Maddie’s schools, elementary, middle and her high school. The parade began at Lemont High School and wound through the neighborhood to her family’s house on Hillview Drive.
Along the way, residents, standing with their dogs, waved to Maddie, who traveled in the Special Olympics trailer. Maddie, meanwhile, held on to Cooper.
One of the Make-A-Wish granters, Tom Birch, who helped coordinate the event, said this was his first time helping grant a wish and he was surprised.
“I have to tell you, it’s been amazing how the community has responded,” Birch said. “I cried tears of joy several times today.”
But Theresa said she wasn’t surprised by the big turnout.
“Everybody knows her, she’s very popular,” Theresa said.
Until recently, Maddie was a sports fanatic, playing bocce ball, basketball, running the 50-meter dash and doing shot put. So she’s long been celebrated in Lemont.
The family also received a surprise donation by Cards by the Yard, a company that offers celebratory signs.
“Cards by the Yard called me two days ago, and they called me and said we saw this on Facebook and please let us be a part of this, we want to do this and we want to do this for Maddie,” Theresa said.
Late Saturday, while the neighborhood was sleeping, they arranged a yard display. Maddie was in shock when she got up, Theresa said.
“She came out this morning and she started crying. And I said that’s all for you and Cooper,” Theresa said.
This isn’t her first pet, and it may not be her last. She’s got an eye on a reptile, though her parents are divided on that one.
“She wants a lizard, which I’m OK with,” said Joseph. “Mom is not OK with that.”
The last dog she had, a Newfoundland, died as Maddie entered high school. Since then, she’s wanted a new dog and, specifically, a dog that could be by her side all day long. That’s the goal with Cooper.
He’s bound for general obedience school now and, after that, specialty training as a service dog to calm Maddie and treat her anxiety. The goal is that by next year, she’ll be a junior in high school with her dog.
“Right when he finishes his basic training, he needs to go into therapy training,” Theresa said. “I promised her by next fall, no matter what, when she goes into her junior year she will be able to get on the bus with the dog. He’s a tremendous amount of comfort to her.”
Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
