Shooting Victim has his Wish Granted

Sept. 17, 2009 - PRLog -- Just this past December, Ludwick was at a party when someone entered with a gun and started shooting. He was shot numerous times and was rushed to the hospital. Upon arrival, Ludwick was in shock and had to endure multiple blood transfusions. He was in and out of the ICU unit many times and has undergone various surgeries, with more in the future. Because of the locations of his gunshot wounds, Ludwick is now a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair who will need long term nursing care.

A Child Life Specialist at the California Hospital Medical Center where Ludwick was being treated was familiar with children’s charity Kids Wish Network through their Hero of the Month program. It was she who referred Ludwick to the organization and it wasn’t long before he was talking to Wish Coordinator Jennifer. He told her that the one thing he wanted more than anything else was a Playstation 3 and a television set to play games in his hospital room.

With the knowledge of Ludwick’s modest wish, Jennifer and Wish Funding Specialist Doris set out to make it a very special event with a few extra surprises thrown in. A huge factor in making Ludwick’s wish come true, Chris Eaton, the Executive Director of the California Police Youth Charities, had a few “tricks” up his sleeve to make Ludwick’s wish even more extraordinary.

Besides donating both the Playstation 3 and the television, Chris arranged to have former Denver Bronco Glenn Cadrez and his wife, model and actress Brande Roderick, show up to present Ludwick’s wish to him at the hospital. Along with the Playstation games and signed football memorabilia that he received from Kids Wish Network, Mr. Cadrez and the California Police Youth Charities, Ludwick was completely overwhelmed and overjoyed.

About his wish, Ludwick said that it was “real special to me because I got to see celebrities I haven’t seen before, and I got the chance to receive the video game that I wanted for a long time. I felt very thankful for my wish to come true…I want to thank them for taking the time to come see me and grant my wish. The Playstation is good; I like Madden the most. The jersey, the helmets, the pictures…I didn’t know they were going to send me all those either. It made me feel real good and happy.”

It was definitely a day that Ludwick will never forget.

Kids Wish Network and the California Police Youth Charities were only too happy to have been able make Ludwick’s wish come true. According to Chris Eaton, “California Police Youth Charities is honored to be affiliated with Kids Wish Network in their efforts to lift the spirits of children by granting their wishes. We have dedicated our organization to providing resources to children in the State of California and Kids Wish Network fits right into what CPYC stands for. I look forward to working with this wonderful organization in the future.”

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Ludwick’s wish extra special: California Police Youth Charities, Glenn Cadrez, Brande Roderick, Tanya Ybarra and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org

# # #

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children through their uniquely specialized programs.

http://www.kidswishnetwork.org