Attended Grammy Awards in Feb 2008

“Because I love music”, says a beaming Caroline, 16, when asked why she chose her particular wish.

Just a few months earlier, away at a camp for visually impaired children, Caroline had been anxiously awaiting news from Make-a-Wish^®. She phoned home daily to check in with her mom, Anne, and one day she could immediately tell there was something exciting going on.
Make-A-Wish was granting her wish to go to the 50th Annual Grammy Awards!

“Music is an important passion of mine, and my wish was born out of that passion. I was thrilled… I also think I cried. That night I was super excited and just filled with energy,” she recalls.

In February, as high winds and heavy snow buffeted their Toronto home, Caroline and her family touched down at the airport in sunny Los Angeles, California, where the Grammy Awards are held each year. Since it was the 50th anniversary, this year would be extra special, and Caroline would also get the star treatment as a special guest of Make-A-Wish.

After settling in their hotel, Caroline first wanted to enjoy a simpler, but equally rare pleasure: “I have to say one of the highlights for me was being able to go swimming outdoors in February. It’s something I never get to do, especially being from Canada!”

Then, on to the red carpet! All the stars were out looking their best, including one unexpected green amphibian…

“A great memory for me was meeting Kermit the frog on the red carpet! I also met some of my favourite music celebrities, especially Carrie Underwood. When she came over, I actually screamed! And I got to meet Amy Lee, the singer from the group Evanescence, which is one of my favourite bands. Now, when I listen to their music, I can’t help smiling because I met her in person!” laughs Caroline.

The fun was just beginning as they took their seats and the curtain went up. For a music lover, where else in the world would you want to be? Caroline didn’t know exactly what to expect, since the Grammy performances’ details are kept secret until the last minute, but she was definitely not disappointed: “All the performances were great, but I especially loved when Fergie sang Frank Sinatra’s ‘Finally’. And I remember Andrea Boccelli’s duet with Josh Brogan… it was so beautiful it made me cry.” As special guests, Caroline and her family also got to attend the Grammy after party, where more music, stars, and live fire throwers gave a thrilling finish to the evening.

So many people worked hard to make this wish everything it could be for Caroline, and as she recounts the wonderful experience, it’s amazing to see how much the trip meant to her.

“I so appreciated the special treatment that I got during the whole trip, I felt very special. The Wish staff were great. I will never forget this experience. In the future I may lose my sight, but I’ll have so many special visions in my head of my trip. I appreciate things like this and know that not everyone is as lucky as I am. I’m extremely thankful to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and their generous donors!”

- Wish Grantor

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