Ethan, 13 years old, CA | 3 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

Voices for Children - San Diego

Ethan became part of the foster care system due to years of abuse by his father. His father struggles with severe mental health issues, while his mother has had a difficult time accepting the truth of the allegations against him. The court determined that since Ethan's father is now in prison, Ethan and his younger brother could remain at home with their mother to prevent further trauma. However, there are still concerns about their mother’s ability to protect and engage with the boys. Ethan is very creative; he enjoys art, sports, and is a member of the school band. Despite the years of abuse he suffered, he maintains straight A's in school, and his teachers describe him as a model of honor and friendship to his peers. Most importantly, Ethan loves spending time with his younger brother, Riley, whom he considers his best friend.

Ethan is a child who really needs a fun day to just be a kid. The past few years have been tough for him because his father went to prison for hurting him, and his mom struggles to deal with everything that's happened, often pulling away from Ethan. He feels the distance. But there’s a bright spot in his life—his little brother, Riley. They’re best friends and always stick together, looking out for each other. They've formed a special bond that always makes them feel safe. Ethan became curious about Disneyland after Riley kept asking him to watch videos of it together. Now, all Ethan wants is to spend a day at Disneyland with Riley, where they can enjoy themselves and forget all their worries, if only for a little while.