Through His Eyes: Isaiah’s Wita’s Wish

Earlier this year, I had one of those moments that reminded me exactly why I do what I do.

Every year, I grant one special child Wita’s Wish, a day created entirely around their interests, their joy, and their progress in therapy. It is my way of recognising how far they have come, the challenges they continue to face, and the small wins that make such a big difference.

In the past, I have taken Jacob to a fire station because he adores firefighters, and Nic to the airport because he loves planes and transportation. Each wish looks a little different, but the heart behind it is always the same. It is about connection, joy, and stepping into a child’s world.

This year, I surprised Isaiah, a long-term client who has been part of my therapy room for the last three years. Isaiah comes from such a beautiful family, one I have had the privilege of supporting and walking alongside. He has some communication and learning difficulties, but what shines most is his incredible personality, sense of humour, and love for sport, especially for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.

So this year, we made his wish all about football.

When I first started working with Isaiah, it became clear how powerful his love for the Bulldogs was. So I began incorporating football into our therapy sessions. We used player names to build adjectives, footballs to sequence words, and even players as letters to help him spell. If he missed a sound, we would say, “Oh, looks like we missed Jacob,” and it became this fun, visual way to learn. Therapy transformed from something structured into something alive because it was built around what Isaiah loves most.

That is really what Wita’s Wish is all about. When therapy follows a child’s interests, they thrive. Their motivation grows, their participation increases, and most importantly, their confidence shines through.

With help from the Bulldogs, we were able to surprise Isaiah with a day at their training, filled with football, cheering, and the people who see his light. It was a few days before his birthday, which made it even more special. Watching him walk into the stadium in his Bulldogs jersey, waving his flag, surrounded by smiles and celebration, was pure joy.

These are the moments that stay with you. The ones that remind you that progress does not only happen in therapy rooms. It happens in laughter, in shared interests, and in the spaces where children feel most understood.

To Isaiah, thank you for letting us step into your world. You are so loved, so celebrated, and such a joy to work with.
And to the Bulldogs, thank you for helping make his wish come true.

Let me know in the comments what I should do next for Wita’s Wish! 

Rita x

Parent consent provided to share their child’s identity