Frequently Asked Questions - About Wishes

1. What is The Rainbow Society?
2. What is your mandate?
3. How do I nominate a child for a wish?
4. What happens after the initial phone call?
5. What takes place during the interview?
6. What types of things can a child wish for?
7. Can a child ask for anything they want?
8. Who gets to choose the wish?
9. What is the most popular wish asked for?
10. What would a trip like this include?
11. Does the child's family get to go on the trip?
12. What if I am separated from my spouse?
13. Do I have to meet certain income qualifications in order for my child to qualify for a wish?
14. Can a child receive more than one wish?
15. How long does the whole process take, from interview to receiving a wish?

1. WHAT IS THE RAINBOW SOCIETY?
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a once in a lifetime experience to Alberta children who qualify under our mandated guidelines.

2. WHAT IS YOUR MANDATE?
Our mandate is to grant wishes to Alberta children, between the ages of 3 and 18 years (have not yet reached their 18th birthday), who have been diagnosed with a chronic or life-threatening illness. For our purposes, we consider chronic to mean a medical condition which severely impacts and restricts the child's activities of daily living.

3. HOW DO I NOMINATE A CHILD FOR A WISH?
If you know of a child who may qualify for a wish, please ask their parent or legal guardian to call us directly so that we can discuss the child's situation with them. In the Edmonton area, they can call our Wish Coordinator at 780 469-3306. In other parts of the province, they can use our toll free number 1-877-469-3306. Click here to refer a child.
NOTE: Referrals cannot be made anonymously. We will not proceed without the prior knowledge and approval of the family involved. Please take the time to discuss this with them before making your referral.

4. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE INITIAL PHONE CALL?
Once the child has been pre-qualified for a wish, arrangements are made to meet with the child and his or her parents/legal guardians to complete the Wish Application. If a personalized meeting cannot take place, the application interview is conducted over the telephone.

5. WHAT TAKES PLACE DURING THE INTERVIEW?
Our interviewers will ask a variety of general information questions on the family as well as on the child's medical condition. The most important part of the interview focuses on the child as we try to get a good feel for what the child likes and dislikes. The child will be asked to share at least three wish choices with us at this time. If the child is non-verbal or does not have the ability to ask for their own wishes, then we rely on the child's parent or care givers to speak on their behalf. The interview usually takes between 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

6. WHAT TYPES OF THINGS CAN A CHILD WISH FOR?
The child's wishes are limited only to their imagination. We have fulfilled wishes for special family vacations, arranged for meetings with celebrities, provided computer systems, stereos, pets, sports equipment, outdoor play centers, shopping sprees, hot tubs, entertainment systems, ballet lessons and even a full sized suit of armor.

7. CAN A CHILD ASK FOR ANYTHING THEY WANT?
Everything within reason will be given serious consideration. We can't accept wishes for medical equipment or medical travel, wishes that feature motorized vehicles of any kind, firearms, or hunting endangered species. We can't accept wishes that involve construction or renovations to a family's home and we can't provide a new vehicle for the family to drive.

8. WHO GETS TO CHOOSE THE WISH?
We have a wonderful volunteer Board of Directors who meet once a month to conduct the business of our Society. Their most important piece of business each month is to hear about and approve our new wish applications.

9. WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR WISH ASKED FOR?
Without a doubt, the most popular wish amongst younger children is a family vacation to Disneyland or Disney World.

10. WHAT WOULD A TRIP LIKE THIS INCLUDE?
Each wish trip is tailor-made to the specific needs of the child and his/her family. Generally speaking, our vacation packages include air line tickets, insurance, ground transportation, accommodation and passes to specific locations when applicable. Some families may also receive meal allowances and/or travel allowances for various incidentals that may come up. Our vacation packages are for a one week duration - seven nights/eight days. Please note: until further notice all travel must take place within mainland North America.

 

11. DOES THE CHILD'S WHOLE FAMILY GET TO GO ON THE TRIP?
Again, while we look at each child and their wishes on an individual basis, generally speaking, wish arrangements would be made for the child, their parents/legal guardians and all natural siblings who are financially dependant on the parents/legal guardians. If the family has a medical aide who helps out in the home on a regular basis, that aide may be considered as well.

12. WHAT IF I'M SEPARATED FROM MY SPOUSE?
If you have full legal custody of your children, then there shouldn't be any issues. If you share custody, please ensure that the child's other parent is aware you would like to make an application for a special wish. In the event a travel wish is asked for and approved, parents who do not have full legal custody of their children will be required to obtain notarized permission from the other custodial parent to take the child(ren) out of the country. This must be attended to prior to our making any travel arrangements on their behalf.

13. DO I HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN INCOME QUALIFICATIONS IN ORDER FOR MY CHILD TO QUALIFY FOR A WISH?
While we do ask each family to provide us with their annual income verification, our Directors do not choose wishes based on the family's annual income. Each child's wish is completed specific to the needs of the child and his/her family and the family's income comes into play when finalizing the arrangement details.

14. CAN A CHILD RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE WISH?
No, our program is meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the child. We will not take an application from a child who has had a wish granted by another wish organization.

15. HOW LONG DOES THE WHOLE PROCESS TAKE, FROM INTERVIEW TO RECEIVING THE WISH?
Our Directors normally meet once a month and at that time they review Applications that are presented to them. The week following the meeting, a letter will be sent to the family, along with all necessary release papers and information, advising them of what wish was chosen for their child. The family is asked to sign the release forms and return them to our head office before any arrangements are made. If the child is receiving a travel wish, the timing is left up to the family's personal preference. If the child is receiving a purchased item, then we will complete the purchase as soon as possible. Each wish is completed in as timely a fashion as can be managed.