Hunter is a quiet, down-to-earth 10-year-old young man like most others his age. He is different though, in that he recently had a wish come true. Before visiting A Wishing Place he had talked about many different wishes with his family, but had given no indication as to what he would wish for. So when it came time to declare his wish, Hunter surprised everyone by wishing to meet the country music group Rascal Flatts.

“At first I was surprised by Hunter’s wish, but looking back it makes perfect sense. While he was going through his treatments all he wanted to do was listen to Rascal Flatts. This truly was the perfect wish for him,” said Hunter’s mom. In June 2010 Hunter was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Although it wasn’t cancerous, it is a continuous growing tumor and Hunter will need to have hormone replacement therapy for the rest of his life. Hunter has never let his brain tumor get the best of him and on his one year anniversary of being tumor free his wish to meet Rascal Flatts came true. Both of his wish granters, Natasha and Jenny, were excited to be able to grant Hunter’s special and unique wish.

Before Hunter and his family knew it they were boarding a plane to West Palm Beach, FL, to meet Rascal Flatts. Receiving the full VIP treatment, Hunter and his family arrived at the Marriott Hotel where a welcome gift basket was waiting for them in their room. The basket was filled with all kinds of games and candy for Hunter and his brothers and sister to enjoy. The next day it was off to an African Safari where the curator came off of vacation to make sure Hunter’s wish was as magical as possible. The entire family was able to pet a baby rhino, feed the giraffes, and drive through the lion’s den.

Hunter’s second full day in town was the day of the Rascal Flatts concert, but before the show the family spent the day at the beach soaking up the sun and strengthening their family bond. The night of the show they were taken to the concert by limousine – all donning their Make-A-Wish^®/Rascal Flatts t-shirts they had made. While enjoying the show, another concert goer came up to Hunter and showed him they had the same scar. He also told him, “Never let anyone tell you, you can’t do anything.”  This reinforced to Hunter he can do anything, making the hope inside him stronger. Hunter’s family had a fantastic, enthusiastic, carefree time. His twin brother was high fiving everyone in the crowd. Jay DeMarcus, bass player and harmony vocalist, gave Hunter’s older brother a bass pick and during the final song of the encore Gary LeVox, the lead singer, bent over and shook Hunter’s hand thanking him for coming to the concert.

“I cannot put into words what this wish has done for Hunter and our family. It was a worry free-great time that will stay with us forever,” said Hunter’s mom. Hunter had the time of his life and is so proud of his experience. Every night when he gets ready to walk around the neighborhood for exercise, he puts on his signed Rascal Flatts t-shirt to show everyone how magical his wish was to him. Like the title of Rascal Flatts new album, Nothing Like This, Hunter’s wish was nothing short of amazing.

Wish Granters: Natasha Woodside and Jenny Medine
Wish Sponsor: Fresh Market