The Make-A-Wish Foundation made a Moncton teenager's wish a reality on Saturday with a new television, gaming system, and nearly $1,000 to put towards new video games.
Jared Robbins was born with pulmonary atresia, forcing him to undergo open heart surgery when he was only four days old. He would spend more than a month at the IWK after his birth before he was finally able to come home.
“We were told it was one misplaced cell that caused his pulmonary valve to be completely sealed, so he was getting no oxygen in his blood,” says Melanie Robbins, Jared’s mother.
While more surgery is in his future, Jared feels happy and healthy now. But some high intensity activities remain out of the question. He's found his spot on the ice as a goaltender, and bonds with his younger brother Dylan over video games.
Because of that, Jared wished that Dylan would also receive a television and gaming system of his own.
“Definitely overwhelming, but I’m very happy and thankful,” says Jared Robbins.
"(Jared) was pretty shaken up. You could see his hands shaking in EB games as he tried to open the envelope. Poor guy, really wasn't expecting as much as he got,” says Bob Robbins, Jared’s father.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation says siblings are included in most gifts, but it is actually pretty rare for a recipient to specifically ask to involve their brothers or sisters.
And while Jared's mom is adamant the boys won't spend all their time on the systems this summer, it's pretty safe to say their schedules for the rest of May long weekend are booked.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.
