Hope Inspiration Determination

That is what Make-A-Wish NJ has given me. My name is Olivia Rae Vargas. I am 11 years old, and I am a proud New Jersey Wish kid. At birth, I was diagnosed with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, which affects the development of my facial bones. Doctors informed my parents that my life expectancy is approximately the same as anyone else, but like anything else, every case is different. I am mostly known for my hearing impairment or my fashionable hearing aids, but what you don’t know is at sixteen months old, I was unresponsive and rushed to the hospital, where I was trached and put on life support for almost two months. Luckily, I pulled through, but my battle wasn’t over yet. Throughout the next year and a half, I received countless surgeries, hospitalization, treatments, and therapies in hopes to stabilize my airway so that I could breath and function normally. By the time I was three years old, one-third of my life had been spent inside of hospital walls. To date, I have received over 20+ surgeries and will continue throughout my adolescence.

Because of my critical condition as a toddler, and the uncertainty of my progression, my parents put in a referral to Make-A-Wish NJ for a wish of my choice to be granted. I was luckily granted my wish, and like any other three-year old princess, I chose to go to Disney World with my family on my third birthday.

My wish enabled me to dream bigger. As time went by, I grew much stronger, and found a new love – horses. As you know, every princess needs her horse. In October of 2016, I joined Desiderio, Ltd. where I learned to take care of horses as equine therapy. Shortly after, with great encouragement by owner and trainer Dana Desiderio, I began to ride. However, up until 2018, I wasn’t able to compete as much as I wanted to due to ongoing surgeries, but luckily I was able to qualifiy and attend youth nationals. For the next year, I trained really hard and was able to accomplish my dream, and I became the 2019 US National Champion in Arabian & Half Arabian Hunt Seat Equitation Not to Jump Walk Trot 10 and Under at Arabian Horse Association Youth Nationals, held in Oklahoma City, OK this past July.

Make-A-Wish NJ not only gave me a wish, they also gave me hope, inspiration, and determination. They allowed me to grow stronger and know that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to. My Make-A-Wish family has been one of my biggest supporters, and that is why I am asking you to help me give back for this year’s Walk For Wishes. Please donate to my team, our goal is to raise $11,000, which is the average cost of one wish. Together we can grant more wishes. Another wish granted could mean another child’s dreams can come true.

Thanks to Bill Spadea and radio station NJ101.5, you can tune in on October 17, 2019 at 8:05am to hear my mom talk in detail about my personal impact of Make-A-Wish New Jersey, how they inspired me to became your 2019 Champion and why I chose to give back, alongside of training at Dana Desiderio Ltd.

Love,
Your 2019 US National Champion in Arabian & Half Arabian Hunt Seat Equitation Not to Jump Walk Trot 10 and Under

Olivia Rae Vargas

Click to Make-A-Wish Foundation to help support Olivia on her journey!