Make-A-Wish Makes a Match Between a Girl and a Horse

If you have to be a kid with cancer, it helps to be able to make a wish and have it come true.

Haley Lary, age 12, knows this all too well. The Fish Hill Road resident, who this fall will enter seventh grade at Randolph Union Middle School, has spent the last several months fighting cancer. However, thanks to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Vermont, her longtime wish, to have her own horse, has come true.

The wish flabbergasted her parents, who thought Haley would ask for a trip or to meet her favorite teen idol, Cole Sprouse.

"It was a big surprise," said her father, Michael Lary. "We thought she was going to say she wanted to go to Disney World."

When asked how she came up with her wish Haley said, "I've always wanted a horse. I knew my parents would never let me have one, so I asked Make-AWish."

On July 13, Make-A-Wish volunteer wish granters Janice Wightman and her husband, John Prasch, surprised Haley with a celebration at Rough Terrain Farms in Randolph Center. This is where Haley's new horse, Cole, a 14.2-hand high quarter horse/mustang mix, will be stabled, thanks to owner Leslie Haynes, who pledged to have a stall available for the horse or to build one if needed. Haynes and farm manager and assistant trainer Natalie Jarnis helped the Larys find Cole.

The Larys looked at several horses before finding Cole (his name has nothing to do with teen idols) in Richmond at Wortheim Farm. With his mellow, gentle manner, owner Stanley Wortheim knew Cole would be perfect for Haley, Deborah Lary said.

Lary, who has ridden since childhood, Wightman, also an equestrian, Haynes and Jarnis all agreed.

With Cole watching the festivities from his stall, a small group of family and benefactors, including her friend, Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, applauded Haley's new equine friend and her bravery in fighting her disease. The celebration featured presents, speeches of gratitude, sandwiches and a cake donated by area businesses, as well as Haley's favorite candy, Reeses Pieces.

It's up to Make-A-Wish wish granters such as Wightman and Prasch to take care of expenses and oversee details to ensure that the wish is carefree for the family.

"We're the fairy godparents who make wishes come true," said Wightman, a Make-A-Wish volunteer of 14 years. The average cost of a wish is $10,000, she noted.

Children such as Haley who have life-threatening illnesses are eligible for the program. Doctors and social workers at CHAD referred Haley to Make-W-Wish. Referrals also can come from the nurses, child-life specialists, guardians or the family.

Last year, the organization granted 49 wishes. This year only 40 wishes are anticipated.

"We're hoping that's because there are fewer sick children," Wightman said.

Haley's wish will continue for a year, compliments of Make-AWish. Along with the purchase of Cole and all the tack required, including a saddle, bridle and riding clothes, Make-A-Wish is paying for boarding at the stables and riding lessons with Haynes. Haynes also will work with Cole, believed to be a former ranch horse, which Lary described as "a diamond in the rough." At the end of a year, it will be up to the family to pick up the financial responsibility.

Last March, Haley was diagnosed with large B cell non- Hodgkins lymphoma.

"This is the man who saved her life," said Deborah Lary introducing Randolph Center ophthalmologist Dr. Chris Soares to the gathering at the stables. She brought Haley to Soares when one of her eyelids was drooping and the pupil failed to dilate.

After he examined her, Soares told Lary that Haley's condition, although not an emergency, was serious enough to require immediate attention. He arranged for her to be seen by specialists at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. A team of pediatric oncologists discovered a tumor had stretched from the base of her brain to her epiglottis. The good news was that the tumor had not spread, and Haley was in the early stages of the disease. Her prognosis was good, they said.

Doctors prescribed a short-term but intensive regime of chemotherapy that left her nauseous and weak for weeks, and Haley lost her hair. Through it all, her aunt, Millie Lary, tutored Haley to keep her current with schoolwork, while her sister, Haddie, 10, helped keep her spirits up. Haley completed the treatments earlier this summer, and tests indicated she is now cancer free.

Haley has spoken to children at the middle and high schools, where her mother teaches health classes, telling them what it's like to be a child with cancer.

To show their gratitude and to help other children with lifethreatening illnesses have their wishes come true, Haley and her family plan to hold a community event in the near future to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

To learn more about the Make- A-Wish Foundation Vermont, or for more information about the Sept. 22-23 Walk for Wishes, call 802-864-9393 or visit online at www.makeawishvermont.org

Story submitted by Haley's grandmother, Peggy Schenk.