Meet our Wish Kids

Samantha wished to be on Nick at Nite.

Samantha is an engaging child with a rare, genetic disorder, Familial Dysautonomia. Her wish was to help other kids with the same illness and those who face similar challenges. Sam decided to reach other kids through her favorite television news show, Nick News, hosted by Linda Ellerbee. Samantha’s story profiled how she is similar and different from other kids, and how to treat those who seem different. Samantha’s story was aired on Nick News’ popular "My Life" segment on Sunday, April 16, 2000. Other news shows found her special wish to be interesting. Kitty Pilgrim from CNNfn’s “Business Unusual” interviewed Samantha and her mom and spoke with them about Sam’s wish and her life with Familial Dysautonomia. Sam’s mom is quoted as saying, "What we found really wonderful about this wish was that it extended itself to helping many others by educating them about this rare genetic disorder (only 600 cases worldwide)." As for Samantha, when asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she replied, "I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up yet, but I know I want to help people." Thanks to the power of her wish, she’s certainly on her way.