Now Showing: James's Movie Room Makeover

Make-A-Wish® Connecticut granted six-year-old James Keating’s wish to have a movie room at home.

James, like so many six-year-olds, loves to watch movies with his brother, Teddy, and his parents, Martine and Eliot. However, unlike most six-year-olds, James suffers from a blood disorder, requiring multiple hospital visits each month for treatment. James’s extensive time in hospitals made movies special to him. Stuck sitting in a chair or in bed at the hospital for long hours, he would find distraction and comfort by choosing DVDs and watching them in his room. James the realized, “What if I could have a movie room and be able to watch movies at our house?”

A basement space in James’s family home was created that embodies his love of watching movies, including his favorite – Toy Story. But the vision for the space wasn’t James’s alone – it was also designed with his brother, Teddy, in mind. Last year, Teddy was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and the family has since been in and out of the hospital with both of their children.

When James descended the stairs into the newly designed room for the first time, he seemed overwhelmed, but it did not take long before he began squealing with joy and breaking out in little dances. James could not wait to watch his favorite movies on his brand-new big-screen television and teddy was excited to break-in the new Xbox. The space also features brand new floors, generously donated by LL flooring, as well as a karaoke machine that the whole family can enjoy. No movie room would be complete without popcorn, a concession stand staple, and James and his family can now make as much popcorn as they desire with their old-fashioned, free-standing popcorn machine. In addition to the brothers’ favorite superhero posters and other decorative touches, both boys’ names appear in bright shining lights just like you would see at a Hollywood premier. For James, his movie room now serves as a place to relax, play games, watch his favorite movies and, most importantly, create lasting memories with his family.

James’s dad added, “It’s definitely so sweet and endearing that we’ve had the lovely people from Make-A-Wish be so kind to our son James and as well have shown the love and support to Teddy.”

Make-A-Wish is in the business of delivering hope, and hope has never been more important than now for our wish kids. It can be difficult to continue to hope when we have had so many dreams deferred due circumstances beyond our control, but the moment we have something to look forward to, everything begins to change. Hope is a superpower that kids living with critical illness, like James, have been tapping into long before many of us heard the word, “lockdown.” Helping more kids find hope is something we all have the power to do, because for these children—as for all of us—the promise of a wish is so much more than a temporary escape. It’s a wellspring of strength to keep fighting for better days. Hope is essential for children living with critical illnesses and you can unlock its transformative power today. Don’t wait for hope; create it! Donate now at ct.wish.org.

James’ wish was made possible by Fitzgerald Painting, Inc., Linda Sonders Design, Big Y, Lumber Liquidators, Inc., Charter Oak Utility Constructors, Inc., Sherwin Williams, Westbrook Lodge – Order of the Elks No. 1784, BM Flooring Inc., Kvon Photography, along with the generous support of the local community.