A wish come true

Jennifer Kho

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- For most of his life, Derek Tao has had nothing better

to look forward to than medical appointments.

The 5-year-old resident was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 10

months old, and despite chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, the

tumor has come back twice.

“He basically grew up at the hospital,” said his mother, Candice Tao.

“It’s pretty much a miracle he’s still with us today.”

And another miracle has happened for Derek. This week, three of his

wishes will be granted.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County has arranged a trip to Disney

World, in Orlando, Fla., for Derek and his family.

The trip will start Friday, just in time for Derek’s birthday on Sunday.

This will be Derek’s first birthday with no medical appointments in

sight, Candice Tao said, and he’s excited.

“You can tell by the way he talks about it,” she said. “Every day he asks

if we’re going tomorrow. His face lights up whenever we talk about it,

and he just gets this big smile.”

To celebrate the trip, the boy took a train ride -- his first -- to San

Juan Capistrano on Saturday, compliments of the foundation.

Linda Wylie, a Make-A-Wish volunteer who coordinated Derek’s wish and

celebration, said the boy’s love for trains became obvious to her when

she first spoke with him in December.

She chose San Juan Capistrano because the city is pedestrian-friendly,

has many attractions for children and is just the right length away, she

said.

“It’s such a charming city with lots to see, and it has a real sense of

community you get when you step out of the train,” Wylie said.

California Highway Patrol officers chauffeured him around town in a

patrol car, granting another of his wishes.

Bruce Lian, CHP public affairs officer, said his organization

participated in the celebration because “it’s one of his greatest wishes,

and it’s the least we can do for him.”Derek also received a free lunch at

Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot Restaurant, where a special table was set up

for him near the train tracks; a free ice cream at Dairy Queen; souvenirs

donated by Ortega’s Trading Post; and a free Beanie Baby from Botanica.

Candice Tao said the trip and celebration are special to the family

because they rarely get to do normal family things.

The family doesn’t often plan things in advance because they never know

what to expect the next day, she said.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate something good after all the things

we have gone through,” she said. “There are so many things we don’t get

to do that normal families take for granted.”

Derek has three siblings -- ages 9 months, 4 years and 7 years old.”The

kids are looking forward to the chance to go to Disney World and be kids,

because all the kids had to grow up a lot faster than other children,”

Tao said. “I think they have missed out on a big part of their

childhood.”

Tao said the help the family has received from the Make-A-Wish

organization has helped her stay positive.

“This just shows that sometimes life sucks, but there are still good

people and things to look forward to,” she said.