New Bedford Police Help Make Child’s Wish Come True

NEW BEDFORD - With Thanksgiving approaching and the holiday season in full swing, it's nice to see a young New Bedford boy, who's been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, have his wishes come true.

The New Bedford Police Department teamed up with Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island on Tuesday morning to grant 10 year old Devin Sullivan's wish of going to Walt Disney World Resort to see Mickey's Merry Christmas Parade.

Devin, still unaware of any surprises, was first picked up at his house by a convoy of New Bedford Police cruisers, and was brought down to the Rockdale Avenue headquarters to a waiting crowd filled with family, officers, and the Make-A-Wish team. Upon arrival to the station, Devin was escorted inside to the press room where he would be presented with his granted wish.

Devin has always admired police officers. His grandfather, Daniel Sullivan, was nearby as a Westport police officer before he passed away roughly six years ago. His mother, Ashley Sullivan, says that Devin and his grandfather were “best friends”.

"It's definitely been a hard five or six years after my dad passed away. Devin and my dad were best friends, so this definitely brings back some of the memories we had together," Ashley said.

His two Make-A-Wish sponsors, Detective Dominique Sherburne and Officer Fonseca, presented him with a photo album, saying, “Somebody made you a photo album and we hope that you'll get to fill this photo album with pictures because you're going to Disney next week.”

With his jaw dropped in excitement, Devin was speechless as he was told his wish was granted. When asked about why he wants to go to Disney, the 10 year old provided a touching answer that was based on the close relationship he had with his grandfather.

“Because I went with my Grandpa before he died. I got to spend time with him (at Disney) before he died,” Devin said. “I think it is pretty cool.”

Following the announcement and input from New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro, Devin and his brothers were each given a bag full of presents to use on the trip, including headphones for the plane as well as Disney pajamas and shirts.

“It's amazing. It's just a lot to get away from all the therapy we have and go to, and all the medicine, and his trips to Boston we go to now every few weeks because Devin's been sick,” Ashely Sullivan said. “But we're good, and we're going to get thru this as a family.”

Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island grants wishes for children between the ages of 2½ and 18 years old with life-threatening medical conditions. In its 30-year history, the organization has granted more than 8,000 wishes for children in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Visit Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island at www.massri.wish.org for more information, to make a donation, or to learn about volunteer opportunities.