Volo boy with cystic fibrosis gets his wish for a therapeutic hot tub

By Vincent Pierri | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 4/30/2010

Wauconda Middle School student Hayden Manahan was granted his desire for a hot tub by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Volo boy was treated to a limousine ride home from school and a party with his friends. The warm, swirling water is therapeutic for Hayden, who has cystic fibrosis.

It took less than three minutes for Hayden Manahan to get out of the limousine, put on swim shorts and flop into the hot tub.

The recipient of a Make-A-Wish Foundation gift, the 11-year-old Wauconda Middle School student, got a surprise limo ride home from school only to find family and friends waiting with balloons, burgers and boisterous cheers.

"I've got the best seat in the house," Hayden, of Volo, said as he slid into the backyard tub.

The seven-seat, 350-gallon, top-of-the-line whirlpool was compliments of the Arizona-based charity and Hot Tubs Etc. of St. Charles.

The warm, swirling, water is therapeutic for Manahan who has cystic fibrosis.

"With therapy and medication, Hayden has been really able to manage his condition," said Hayden's mom, Andrea. "He felt a little guilty getting this gift, but I reminded him that he's worked hard to stay healthy and that matters. This is a celebration of life."

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. Nearly 70,000 people are affected worldwide.

Currently, there is no cure, but drug treatment and other therapies can lengthen life expectancies.

The folks at Make-A-Wish heard about the Manahans from Hayden's doctor at Advocate Lutheran General in Park Ridge.

"Dr. Gabriel Aljedeff submitted Hayden's name," his mother said. "He's always loved hot tubs whenever we've stayed in a hotel or go to the water parks. And it's very therapeutic for him."

Make-A-Wish is marking the 30th anniversary since the first wish was granted. The organization grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois has granted more than 9,000 wishes since 1985, officials said.

And what's the best thing about the hot tub?

"Having those jet sprays right on my back," Hayden Manahan said. "It really feels good after a long day."