Shemiah’s Wish
2024 Summer Reunion Speech
“Hey, everyone. My name is Miah, and believe it or not, I am the ‘wish kid’ in my family! Three decades ago, I found myself confronted with a grim prognosis. Ewing’s Sarcoma had seized my body, its grasp tightening with each passing day. The bone tumor in my chest was massive when it was found, so large in fact, that it encased my heart, had collapsed my left lung, spread mets to my right lung, and was quite literally sticking out of my chest wall. Without any warning, my five-year-old self was thrust into the fight of my life.
However, during this challenging time, something incredible happened. The Montana Hope Project, an organization that brings happiness and hope to those in need, stepped in. They couldn’t make my dream of going to Africa come true- yes, I really wanted to go to Kenya and visit the Massai warriors when I was 5. I guess my team of doctors thought it wouldn’t be prudent. However, the Hope Project did grant me something pretty wonderful. They sent me on an adventure to Disney World!
My imagination ran wild flying to Florida, where I met my favorite Disney princesses, screamed my lungs out on rides, and indulged in all the junk food a kid could dream of. I got to be transported for a small moment to a place where I felt like a normal child once again. But you know what made it truly marvelous? It was the time spent with my family- the laughter, the love, and the sheer joy of being together once again after being spread all over the US for my 2-years’ worth of treatments. That’s what made that trip unforgettable. My parents were always up front with me from the very beginning; they brought me into hard conversations. My reality was that my life could be cut very short, so the moments I had with them on this trip, I savored with every ounce of my being.
The Montana Hope Project didn’t just grant me a wish; they gave us something priceless- the gift of family-bonding and renewed strength to keep fighting. I’ve also gotten to meet so many warriors through the Hope Project kids facing their own battles with bravery and grace. Together we found encouragement, comradery through shared experiences, while making memories at those summer reunions at Essex. From riding motorcycles, getting to know many hero Highway Patrolman, meeting amazing volunteers, to falling in love with Glacier; those moments were pure magic that helped keep me going through my illness and beyond.
And so, here I stand today- living proof of the power of faith, love, and community. The odds stacked against me, seeming unsurmountable at the time, BUT I am here… I have breath in my lungs, which is a testament to God’s grace and mercy. Despite every doctor telling me I would never have children, I am a proud mother to four incredible boys. They are my little miracles, a reminder that beauty can emerge from the ashes.
The Montana Hope Project isn’t just an organization. It’s a beacon of hope, a world of possibilities, unwavering support, and a reminder that dreams can come true, even in the face of adversity.”
Shemiah’s Wish, MHP Summer Reunion, and Treatment:
Shemiah and Her Boys at our 2024 Summer Reunion:
Shemiah and Her Boys at our 2017 Summer Reunion:
