CHEYENNE, Wyo. — When you’re an 11-year-old boy, life often revolves around sports and video games. Kaleb, from Cheyenne, is no exception. Not only does he love video games, sports, riding his bike, playing with his friends and football, but he also specifically loves Wyoming Cowboys Football. This made his wish reveal at the first-ever Make-A-Wish Wyoming and 1WYO Serving Up Wishes event on April 20 a truly spectacular surprise.
For his wish reveal, Kaleb was surrounded by University of Wyoming football players and their coach, who even joined Kaleb at his table for the evening. To make the evening even more out of this world, Kaleb enjoyed a special surprise visit from Star Wars characters including Darth Vader, Chewbacca, storm troopers and several others from the Star Wars universe. As a big Star Wars fan himself, when Kaleb learned that his wish to go to Disney World to build a custom light saber would be granted, it was extra special because he got to celebrate along with his favorite characters at the special event.
Just like a rare, white-colored light saber, Kaleb was diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune disease. His condition is even more rare for kids his age, affecting only about one in a million children. Although he was diagnosed with this autoimmune disease at just 11 years old, it is managed very well right now and he certainly hasn’t let it hold him back.
Kaleb was diagnosed with this condition in December 2022 after what doctors initially thought was a long-lasting cold. Little did they know at the time, he would be diagnosed with the extremely rare condition, which was even harder to find because he wasn’t showing traditional symptoms. After weeks of fighting cold-like symptoms and suspecting it was now pneumonia, Kaleb was eventually referred to Denver Children’s Hospital. There, they soon diagnosed him with the autoimmune disease. Kaleb’s condition greatly compromised his immune system, which meant going to school, and simply being a kid, was going to be challenging.
“Kaleb went from being a normal kid to suddenly having all these medical issues and needing to be super careful around others,” said Kody, Kaleb’s mom. “You know, if someone is sick, he must be extra cautious and stay away from them, which can be very isolating, especially as a kid in elementary school.”
Now Kaleb is doing well and is stable, with high spirits after his wish to Disney World was granted by Make-A-Wish Wyoming. Being a big Star Wars buff, Kaleb’s choice for his wish to go to Disney World was especially solidified after he learned that, as a wish kid, he gets the wish pass, allowing him to skip the long lines.
Alongside his parents, older brother and younger sister, Kaleb headed for the happiest place on earth. The family spent the first three days of its trip enjoying Disney, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. There, Kaleb and his siblings built custom light sabers and also had the opportunity to build custom droids. After Disney, Kaleb rode every single ride — some even twice — at the Magic Kingdom, which is no easy feat. To end his magical trip, Kaleb and his family enjoyed Universal Studios, where he and his brother again rode all the rollercoasters.
“Kaleb was treated like royalty during this trip, especially at Universal Studios, where they ushered him to the front of the line every time,” Kody said. “It was all so awesome, and the wish gave our whole family a chance to get away together and focus on us as a family. It also brought the kids back together and allowed them the chance to bond as siblings again. The best part was Kaleb got to feel what it was like to be a normal kid again, which was so important. Of course, we just had so much fun together as a family.”
To learn more and join in helping Wyoming wish kids, click here.
