LEWISTON — When Kat Sherbinski left home for her last day of school Wednesday morning, she didn’t know what was in store for her.
Just down the road from her house in Otisfield, a crew from Make-A-Wish Maine was waiting to begin setting up an above ground pool in her backyard. Sherbinski, who loves swimming and spending time outside, had asked the foundation for the pool, but was told it wouldn’t be possible until later in the summer.
“It was a lie,” said Make-A-Wish Maine Director of Mission Delivery Sonya Purington. “We really wanted to surprise her.”
When Sherbinski left school, she found a limo waiting for her and her friends. She was so excited when she saw it, she cried, her mother, Jennifer Sherbinski, said.
However, the biggest shock for Sherbinski was learning that her brother was flown in from Denver for the celebration, her mother said.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with critical, life-threatening illnesses. More than two years ago, just before her 10th birthday, doctors discovered a tumor in Sherbinski’s brain. It took a year to determine what kind of cancer Sherbinski had and to begin treatment. Her parents say she will have to receive chemotherapy treatments for the rest of her life.
Despite this, the 12-year-old was all smiles during the celebrations on Wednesday.
“She’s a happy kid right now,” her mother said.
During the day, Sherbinski was given a scavenger hunt that took her to various places, including the Central Maine Power service building in Lewiston. There, she was greeted by a human tunnel of CMP employees and Make-A-Wish Maine staff. She found the last piece of the scavenger hunt, completed the puzzle and celebrated with confetti, beach balls and more.
She then headed off to Roys Allsteak Hamburgers and Golf Center in Auburn for mini golf and ice cream.
The Sherbinski family has been in communication with Make-A-Wish Maine since January. The average wait time for a granted wish is four to six months, Purington said, something the foundation does intentionally to build anticipation. There are other little surprises during the waiting period like packages in the mail or pizza from the child’s favorite restaurant, she added.
“Thinking about a wish for a child really gives them hope that something good is ahead,” Purington said. “Our focus is bringing hope to children when they might not have a lot to look forward to. They have a wish, and that gives them hope to keep fighting.”
Volunteer wish granters connect with children and their families to help them think creatively when making their wish. Other wishes granted by the foundation include domestic and international trips, unique experiences and shopping sprees.
“When a child is battling a critical illness, the freedom and the purity of being a child is lost and they have no control over how they’re feeling, when their next treatment is, when they’re hospitalized,” Purington said. “Giving them the power to think beyond their hospital bed and focus on something positive that they can control when they can’t control anything else is so magical and it’s such a great distraction.”
When Sherbinski returned home Wednesday evening, she found family and friends ready to celebrate the new above ground pool in her backyard.
The pool has been a really big deal for Sherbinski, her mom said. For months, she’s asked for the exact date the pool would come.
Sherbinski’s father, Matthew Sherbinski, said the last several months have been inspiring for their family.
“(It) helps you realize there’s others out there to help you along,” he said. Both Jennifer and Matthew Sherbinski said they were deeply grateful for the support they have received from their community.
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