Make-A-Wish recipient gives back

WINSTED — When Amanda Zigmund was 15 years old, her life came crashing down around her.Diagnosed with life-threatening kidney disease, she was on dialysis and chemotherapy.“My body changed, and it scared my fellow students at school,” Zigmund said. “I gained 100 pounds and I was balding.”During that time, her doctor told her that she should get in contact with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children ages 2 to 18 with life-threatening medical conditions.“I got really scared because I thought Make-A-Wish was just for kids who are dying,” Zigmund said. “I learned more about them and found out it’s for kids who have life-threatening diseases, not just terminal conditions.”The organization granted Zigmund’s wish of going to Hawaii.“I thought they would just send me to Hawaii and put me up in a hotel room, but they did so much more than that,” Zigmund said. “They had a limo pick me up and take me to the airport. Every single day I was there they scheduled activities for me. I went surfing, on a submarine adventure and even on a Hawaiian luau. “My parents are divorced, and I thought I would have to pick one or the other to come with me. I didn’t because they paid for separate hotel rooms so both of them could come. “They went above and beyond for me to make sure that I felt like a kid again. That trip got me to forget about the doctors and the harassment from other kids. It was the best thing that has ever happened in my entire life.”Now Zigmund’s kidney disease is in remission and she is no longer on steroids or chemotherapy. She is attending Northwestern Connecticut Community College (NCCC) and is studying nursing.Zigmund is also giving back and volunteering for the organization.“I will do anything to give back to them,” Zigmund said. “They played such a major part in my life. If I can help one child feel the way I felt when they helped me, it is totally worth it.”Michael Dominick, communications manager for the Connecticut chapter of the foundation, said the chapter is celebrating its 25th anniversary.He said that since 1986, the Connecticut chapter has granted 2,000 wishes.Dominick added that Lime Rock Park will donate $2 from each racing program sold at their events during their season.For more information about Make-A-Wish, visit their website at www.ct.wish.org.