ST. LOUIS (AP) — Battling an incurable brain tumor that robbed him of his sight, 9-year-old Mak Shulist made a dying wish that had nothing to do with meeting a celebrity, shaking the president’s hand or going to Walt Disney World.
Before his death Friday, Mak got the Make-A-Wish Foundation to do something for his friends — build a rock-climbing wall on the playground of Ellisville Elementary School.
“It says a lot about the family and the type of person he was — selfless, thoughtful and caring,” said Dave Knes, principal at the 600-student school in suburban Ellisville.
“We learned a lesson from a 9-year-old — that even when we’re going through tough times we should be thinking of other people and not ourselves.”
Mak’s illness was diagnosed about a year ago, Mr. Knes said, when physical education teachers noticed him losing his balance and falling while he ran around the track.
As Mak’s health declined, the Make-A-Wish Foundation hustled to build the 7-foot-high climbing wall.
“From the time the wish was granted to the time they were playing on it was less than two weeks,” Mr. Knes said. He estimated it cost the foundation $10,000 to $15,000. Volunteers put it together.
“Every time I’m going to get on this wall I think about him and what he did for us,” said one of his friends, Michael Stafford.
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