When Wishes Take Shape: Karter’s LEGO Adventure
Goshen, New York – Karter adores LEGOs, so it was clear his heart would be full of joy on an unforgettable adventure to LEGOLAND New York! Kids Wish Network made his dream come true, flying Karter and his mom to New York for a getaway built on bricktacular family fun.
They enjoyed the ultimate LEGO sleepover at the LEGOLAND New York Resort, staying in a whimsical Kingdom-themed room. “It was very detailed and so cute!” said his mom, Mary. “He loved it!” Karter met characters, played games in the arcade, and spent hours exploring the playroom—climbing in and out of the giant castle pirate ship complete with a slide and piles of LEGO bricks. “He didn’t even want to take a break to sit down, he was having a ball!” Mary said.
Their meals were just as fun, with breakfast and dinner served in the hotel’s restaurant surrounded by interactive LEGO chef figures. The animated dance parties in the elevator were another surprise highlight, making every moment feel festive and full of celebration.
The LEGOLAND theme park was a treasured day of togetherness. “His favorite part of LEGOLAND was everything!” said Mary. “It was so awesome!” Karter loved all the rides, especially the virtual reality attractions, shows, and life-size LEGO sculptures. Everywhere they looked, imagination came to life. Mary’s heart was full remembering how sweetly he said, “Thank you, Mommy,” throughout the day. Their time together was carefree, meaningful, and full of laughter—Karter didn’t even ask for his tablet until bedtime, the true sign of the best wish ever!
“Me and Karter needed it so much,” Mary reflected. “We’ve never gone anywhere together where it was just the two of us, and I’m so glad we were able to do this. It was so awesome. Thank you so much!”
Knowing how much Karter loves electronics, Kids Wish Network also gifted him a new Amazon Fire tablet to extend the happiness of his wish.
Karter was born premature with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. He wasn’t breathing and suffered a loss of oxygen, leading to multiple health challenges. After spending 66 days in the NICU, Karter was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at six weeks old—a condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. Through years of occupational and physical therapy, he began walking after his fifth birthday and continues to work hard in speech therapy today.
Many Thanks
Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Karter without the help of LEGOLAND New York Resort hotel who assisted with a discounted rate, Merlin’s Magic Wand for his family’s LEGOLAND admission, and the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope.
Wish Sponsors:
Merlin’s Magic Wand
https://www.merlinsmagicwand.org/usa
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MMWUSA
IG: @merlinsmagicwandofficial
X: @MMWAND
LEGOLAND New York Resort
LEGOLAND® New York Resort | Theme Park & Resort Hotel
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LEGOLANDNewYork/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/legoland.newyork/
X: https://twitter.com/legolandnewyork
Kids Wish Network has been making dreams come true for children since 1997. We are dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children experiencing life-altering situations. We started with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering from life-threatening conditions, but have since created additional programs to benefit kids nationwide, including Hero of the Month, Project Toy Drop, Holiday of Hope Gift Banks, and A Child Forever Funeral Assistance.