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Matteo’s Wish Story

Matteo, 16, Corvallis
Wish: to design a Nike Air Force 1 shoe

“Thank you for the splendid fulfillment of my son Matteo’s wish. You have no idea what this magnificent, life-affirming gift of time and presents you gave meant to Matteo, or to his family. Ever since Matteo was diagnosed with a germinoma brain tumor on April 13, 2006, his life has been full of challenges, pain and disappointment.

It’s true now, that with a full head of hair, Matteo looks like everyone else. No one can see what has happened to him inside, but we know that his illness has wrecked his high school experience, prevented his involvement in football and rugby, caused many of his friends to forget he exists and sucked his spirit dry. We are still discovering the cognitive and spiritual side effects from the tumor, chemo and radiation. We are told that his malaise and withdrawal from life is unusual, but not abnormal, given the location of his tumor. Only time will tell. In this context, your acceptance of Matteo for a Make-A-Wish means even more to us.

We were picked up in a stretch limousine. Our driver, Matt rolled out the red carpet for us as if we were famous. When we arrived at the beautiful NIKE campus, we were treated like celebrities and greeted by [Nike employees and Make-A-Wish volunteers].

Soon, we were in a specially decorated design room where Matteo met [designer] Jason Baaden and [Air Force 1 shoe inventor] Bruce Kilgore and looked at a room full of shoes, materials and drawings for inspiration.

The design process was so fascinating: Jason showed Matteo how his computer program worked with the laser engraver and experimented on Matteo’s cell phone. The morning flew by. We know it was an unusual honor to see the NSRL (Nike Sports Research Lab), because [some of the Nike employees with us] had never been inside either before! We met Matt Nurse, who explained in depth how Nike scientists work with athletes to help them perform their best. Ian Muir even showed us a secret fabric testing lab and gave Matteo a rugby shirt. After visiting the lab, we took a limousine ride to the Nike Employee Store: Matteo has practically lived in the Gore-Tex jacket he chose that day.

After, we gathered in the Lobby to see if the shoes Matteo designed might be ready. The “unveiling” is overwhelming. Jason Baaden presents Matteo with an engraved box containing the shoes he’d designed that morning! THEN we’re told that Matteo can keep ALL the shoes he saw for inspiration, plus a backpack engraved with his name. He thoughtfully gives big brother Kyle three pairs of shoes, too!

Our amazing day finally came to an end when we returned home by limousine. I am still in awe of the magic of Make-A-Wish and how so many people put aside their regular work schedule to give Matteo a day he will remember all of his life.

On behalf of our family, Jim, Kyle, Matteo, I say thank you and obrigado for all that you have done, created and shared to bring about a wonderful Make-A-Wish experience.”

- Matteo’s mom, Chareane