SAPULPA, Okla. — William Bond, a seven-year-old boy from Sapulpa, is one of the latest recipients of the Make-A-Wish foundation, which grants "experiences described as wishes to children diagnosed with critical illnesses."
Bond was born with cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disease, which causes lung infections and makes it difficult to breathe. Every morning, he wears a vest with an air generator that sends quick pulses of air, putting pressure on his chest.
"It feels like my heart's pounding on me," said Bond, while showing us how his vest works.
For the majority of his life, he's been in and out of hospitals.
"I try to be as positive as I absolutely can with him because I don't want him to go through life thinking this disease runs my life," said Chrissy Bond.
As a single mother to William, she said it hasn't been an easy journey, especially knowing the life expectancy for someone living with CF is about 37 years.
"It's been the hardest thing I've ever had to go through, but at the same time, it keeps me humble. It keeps me grateful. It helps me appreciate every single day," said Bond.
Her health insurance has been a big help knowing that medication to treat CF can be thousands of dollars.
The mother and son will be able to get a little time off to forget the daily struggle during their Make-A-Wish trip to Florida. They will be visiting several theme parks.
She said this trip came as a complete surprise, and it'll be the first time that William flies on a plane.
"We are just over the moon. This is the biggest thing that's ever happened to us," said Bond.
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