March 1, 2019
NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
Liz and Barry Bachmeier stand with their son Daniel at the Dunmore Road McDonald's with local Children's Wish Chair Donna Serr. The group is raising money to get Daniel to Las Vegas to see a monster truck show.
Daniel Bachmeier was supposed to be in Orlando next month as part of his Children’s Wish trip.
But that, like many other special experiences lined up for kids facing critical illnesses, has been put on hold amid the pandemic.
“He’s still going to go, just not too sure when,” said his mom Liz. “It’s impossible right now but the wishes that have been granted, they will happen. It’s not like it’s completely cancelled, it’s just postponed.
“Try to explain to them that, they don’t understand.”
The 14-year-old from Medicine Hat has cerebral palsy. Born three months premature, he used a feeding tube until he was 10 and still uses a wheelchair.
His wish? Attend the Monster Jam World Finals May 2-3 and get up close with monster trucks.
The event has been cancelled due to “increasing spread of COVID-19 and expanding restrictions on domestic and international travel,” read a statement on Monster Jam’s website, which also noted government bans on group gatherings played a factor as well.
“He’s still excited to go and do it,” said Liz, noting her own health problems were going to force the wish to be postponed anyhow. “In the meantime we’ve got some other friends who used to live in Medicine Hat who had monster trucks, they keep in touch with Daniel. They have friends in the monster truck industry who sent him a video and a sweatshirt. Little things like that, keeping him in touch.”
Bachmeier isn’t alone. Make-A-Wish Canada, which unified with Children’s Wish Foundation back in October, has had to postpone all wish travel through the end of May for sure, with a high likelihood that date will be extended.
“These children are just waiting for their dreams and wishes to come true, then all of a sudden everything comes to a sudden halt,” said volunteer Donna Serr, who helps coordinate many wishes in the Gas City. “It affects so many.”
Serr usually spends March trying to raise $10,000 – the average cost of a wish – but couldn’t bring herself to ask this year. There were events set up in schools, but with those all closed the deficit will be felt by the charity.
“All charities are suffering too for sure,” said Serr. “It’s hard times, so how do you go after money?”
Liz Bachmeier hopes those who can, will help out still. Daniel’s been asked to be the poster boy for the upcoming Cypress Hills Wish Ride in September, a fundraising event involving trail rides on horseback. She’s raised $210 as of Sunday via a Facebook fundraiser.
She just hopes the ride doesn’t get delayed or cancelled, too.
