Black Widow
06-29-2008, 09:37 PM
Seven-year-old Jeremy of Lakemont, Ga. is a serious wrestling fan. This special little guy's passion for the entertaining sport keeps him glued to the television set on Monday nights so he can cheer his all-time favorite wrestler John Cena.
Recently, Jeremy enjoyed meeting his hero thanks to his friends at Kids Wish Network, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Jeremy has cerebral palsy.
When Kids Wish Network learned about Jeremy after his grandmother referred him to the charity, the staff was eager to do something special for him. This courageous boy has been through a great deal in his young life and struggles daily with his condition.
In addition to cerebral palsy, Jeremy has experienced severe seizure episodes since he was a baby. He suffers from a half dozen different types of seizures and is on many different medications. He also wears leg braces. Jeremy has been in and out of the hospital much of his young life and must visit doctors frequently.
When Kids Wish Network Wish Coordinator Vanessa Covolo learned that Jeremy's No. 1 wish was to meet his No. 1 favorite wrestler John Cena, she worked hard to make sure his dream came true.
It turned out to be an experience that Jeremy will never forget.
Vanessa arranged for Jeremy and his family to fly to San Antonio where there was a WWE show. She also secured accommodations at the beautiful Hotel Valencia. Most importantly, of course, Vanessa arranged for tickets to the WWE event and a very special meet-and-greet with his idol.
Soon after arriving at the AT&T Center, Jeremy and his family were greeted warmly backstage by a parade of WWE stars including Batista, the Hardy Boyz, Ric Flair and Edge. Donna said her son, Jeremy, was thrilled.
Each wrestler signed Jeremy's shirt and posed for photos with him.
Then came the moment Jeremy had been waiting for, meeting Cena.
''He was shy at first,'' Donna said.
However, it didn't take long for him to warm up to his hero. Jeremy, who wore a shirt that read, 'John Cena is My Idol,' presented Cena with a shirt that read, 'You Are My Idol, John Cena.' He also presented his favorite WWE star with an official Kids Wish Network Guardian Angel coin. Donna said the wrestler was clearly moved. Jeremy told him now he had a guardian angel with him.
The pair spent time together, chatting and laughing and posing for photos.
''He was so excited,'' Donna recalled laughing. After the meet-and-greet was done, the group headed to their seats for the show. Jeremy had a sneaking suspicion that John was going to win that night since he now had his lucky angel coin. Donna said the lucky coin did the trick. ''He won,'' she laughed.
Donna said Jeremy's entire wish experience was something neither she, nor her brave son, will ever forget. She was also tremendously grateful to Vanessa and Kids Wish Network.
''Jeremy just loved Vanessa,'' she said. ``It was so exciting. We had a really good time.''
Kids Wish Network thanks Concert Limousine, Hotel Valencia, Luxury Limousine, Rainforest Café, Rio San Antonio Cruises, San Antonio's Children's Museum, San Antonio Zoo, WWE Inc., and of course, John Cena for helping make Jeremy's wish come true.
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 3 and 18 who is in need of wish granting services, call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For information on Kids Wish Network, visit kidswishnetwork.org.
• The WWE Night of Champions pay-per-view is 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT Sunday, June 29 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Every title is on the line.
WWE title: Triple H (champ) vs. John Cena. World Heavyweight Championship: Edge (champ) vs. Batista.
Triple Threat match for ECW title: Kane (champ) vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry. WWE United States Championship: Matt Hardy (champ) vs. Chavo Guerrero.
WWE Intercontinental title: Chris Jericho (champ) vs. mystery opponent. World tag team titles: Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes (champs) vs. Ted DiBiase and mystery partner.
WWE tag team titles: John Morrison and The Miz (champs) vs. Finlay and Hornswoggle. WWE women's title: Mickie James (champ) vs. Katie Lea Burchill.
• WWE SmackDown! house show (no television) is 7 p.m. Sunday, July 6 at the Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola, Fla. Tickets ($20-55) are on sale. Visit TicketMaster outlets, TicketMaster online or call.
The Miami Herald
Recently, Jeremy enjoyed meeting his hero thanks to his friends at Kids Wish Network, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Jeremy has cerebral palsy.
When Kids Wish Network learned about Jeremy after his grandmother referred him to the charity, the staff was eager to do something special for him. This courageous boy has been through a great deal in his young life and struggles daily with his condition.
In addition to cerebral palsy, Jeremy has experienced severe seizure episodes since he was a baby. He suffers from a half dozen different types of seizures and is on many different medications. He also wears leg braces. Jeremy has been in and out of the hospital much of his young life and must visit doctors frequently.
When Kids Wish Network Wish Coordinator Vanessa Covolo learned that Jeremy's No. 1 wish was to meet his No. 1 favorite wrestler John Cena, she worked hard to make sure his dream came true.
It turned out to be an experience that Jeremy will never forget.
Vanessa arranged for Jeremy and his family to fly to San Antonio where there was a WWE show. She also secured accommodations at the beautiful Hotel Valencia. Most importantly, of course, Vanessa arranged for tickets to the WWE event and a very special meet-and-greet with his idol.
Soon after arriving at the AT&T Center, Jeremy and his family were greeted warmly backstage by a parade of WWE stars including Batista, the Hardy Boyz, Ric Flair and Edge. Donna said her son, Jeremy, was thrilled.
Each wrestler signed Jeremy's shirt and posed for photos with him.
Then came the moment Jeremy had been waiting for, meeting Cena.
''He was shy at first,'' Donna said.
However, it didn't take long for him to warm up to his hero. Jeremy, who wore a shirt that read, 'John Cena is My Idol,' presented Cena with a shirt that read, 'You Are My Idol, John Cena.' He also presented his favorite WWE star with an official Kids Wish Network Guardian Angel coin. Donna said the wrestler was clearly moved. Jeremy told him now he had a guardian angel with him.
The pair spent time together, chatting and laughing and posing for photos.
''He was so excited,'' Donna recalled laughing. After the meet-and-greet was done, the group headed to their seats for the show. Jeremy had a sneaking suspicion that John was going to win that night since he now had his lucky angel coin. Donna said the lucky coin did the trick. ''He won,'' she laughed.
Donna said Jeremy's entire wish experience was something neither she, nor her brave son, will ever forget. She was also tremendously grateful to Vanessa and Kids Wish Network.
''Jeremy just loved Vanessa,'' she said. ``It was so exciting. We had a really good time.''
Kids Wish Network thanks Concert Limousine, Hotel Valencia, Luxury Limousine, Rainforest Café, Rio San Antonio Cruises, San Antonio's Children's Museum, San Antonio Zoo, WWE Inc., and of course, John Cena for helping make Jeremy's wish come true.
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 3 and 18 who is in need of wish granting services, call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For information on Kids Wish Network, visit kidswishnetwork.org.
• The WWE Night of Champions pay-per-view is 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT Sunday, June 29 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Every title is on the line.
WWE title: Triple H (champ) vs. John Cena. World Heavyweight Championship: Edge (champ) vs. Batista.
Triple Threat match for ECW title: Kane (champ) vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry. WWE United States Championship: Matt Hardy (champ) vs. Chavo Guerrero.
WWE Intercontinental title: Chris Jericho (champ) vs. mystery opponent. World tag team titles: Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes (champs) vs. Ted DiBiase and mystery partner.
WWE tag team titles: John Morrison and The Miz (champs) vs. Finlay and Hornswoggle. WWE women's title: Mickie James (champ) vs. Katie Lea Burchill.
• WWE SmackDown! house show (no television) is 7 p.m. Sunday, July 6 at the Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola, Fla. Tickets ($20-55) are on sale. Visit TicketMaster outlets, TicketMaster online or call.
The Miami Herald