Liberty’s Wish

Brings New Accessible Swing to La Quinta Park

La Quinta resident, Liberty, loves spending time at the park and laughing as her family pushes her on the swings. At age four, Liberty was diagnosed with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that has resulted in limited speech and cognitive range of a preschooler.

Recently, her family has been struggling to find a park that has an accessible swing which she can safely use. “As she got older, it got harder because she didn’t fit on any of the swings,” said Melissa, Liberty’s mom. “She could be on the swings, but because of her epilepsy, it was hard because you never knew when she would get a seizure and then that would not be a safe place for her.”

Just last year, Liberty was referred to Make-A-Wish, which creates lifechanging wishes for children with critical illnesses. Volunteers from the local Orange County and the Inland Empire Chapter met with Liberty and her family virtually about her wish.

During this discover phase, Make-AWish volunteers discovered that the park is Liberty’s happy place. She loves to listen to and watch other kids have fun while also enjoying the swings like any other kid. Her wish to have an accessible swing at La Quinta Park on the corner of Blackhawk Way and Adams Street would allow her to safely enjoy her favorite park.

When the Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire staff contacted the City of La Quinta for approval for the swing, the City was more than happy to not only lend a hand for the installation, but generously donated the accessible swing as well.

On Liberty’s ‘wish day,’ Liberty and her family spent the morning at the park laughing, blowing kisses, and enjoying the new accessible swing. Liberty’s wish will help other kids just like her enjoy the swings. You can support local wishes like Liberty’s by visiting Wish.org/ocie or by attending their upcoming fundraising

Underground – on March 11th at Imago Galleries in Palm Desert. For tickets and passwords, visit DesertSpeakeasy.org.

Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of granting wishes in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Since the chapter’s founding, more than 7,700 wishes have been granted for children in the local community. For more information about Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, visit Wish.org/ocie.