By Molly Lovell
Staff Writer
    Jane Allen’s fourth grade class at Loranger Middle School in Old Orchard Beach was buzzing with excitement last Thursday as students and teachers celebrated a special classmate and student recently granted a wish.
    Fourth grader Nicholas Watkins will soon travel to the San Diego Zoo with his family on a trip his mother, Ruth Watkins, says will be a life changing experience for the entire family made possible by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
     Nicholas was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome at birth and a few years ago, was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, which is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, with symptoms that include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and weight loss or gain.
    Make-A-Wish volunteers attended the celebration and were pleasantly surprised when Principal Lloyd Crocker announced the school had raised nearly $600 toward a wish for the next child. In addition, Crocker announced Loranger Middle School was going to “throw down the gauntlet” and challenge southern Maine area schools to raise money for the organization.
    “It’s absolutely amazing. I’m speechless,” said Stephanie Duggan, Make-A-Wish Foundation volunteer, adding  she’s never heard of a wish recipient giving back to the foundation the way the Watkins family and school have.
    Ruth Watkins said when Nicholas began to show signs of Crohn’s disease doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. His first stay at Maine Medical Center lasted eight days and at times, Nicholas and his family were quarantined because doctors feared they could infect others.
    “This was pretty scary for a little kid and he didn’t understand the concept of why he was in so much pain,” she said.
    His parents and doctors controlled the disease through diet and medication, which made Nicholas gain weight, Ruth Watkins said. She also said the medication, combined with his Downs Syndrome, is a “Catch 22” because both make him prone to Leukemia.
    “We’re always looking at the next thing that could possibly hit,” she said.
Nicholas needs to have blood taken once a month, which Ruth Watkins said he is now used to.
    “It’s sad in a way, but it’s also made him more grown up,” she said.
    He has also had several Remicade treatments, which is administered through an injection and is generally a two-hour process. One dose costs $3,000 and with insurance, the family’s share is $1,000. She said while Maine Care has picked up part of the cost, their premiums are beginning to increase.
    “I can see where people are losing their homes and cars and anything else they may need,” she said.
Crohn’s disease is incurable and eventually Nicholas will need surgery.
    While Nicholas has been in remission for several months, Ruth Watkins said there is always something happening in terms of her son’s health. He often develops rashes from medication and recently his doctors have suspected he has breakthrough chickenpox. She also said because of his weight fluctuations she keeps several sets of clothes at home.
 “We will be hospitalized again, it’s almost a given,” she said.
    Ruth Watkins said the disease has been limiting for Nicholas in that he can’t play sports or swim – one of his favorite activities. He also can’t eat some of his favorite foods, such as popcorn.
    “It’s been pretty debilitating for him,” she said.
Ruth Watkins said she contacted the Make-A-Wish Foundation one night when she was feeling bad about not being able to give her family a vacation due to the cost of Nicholas’ treatments and medications.
    “I’m a giver, not a taker,” she said, adding the trip will be the “chance of a lifetime,” for Nicholas. She said Nicholas has always related to animals in a special way – his favorites are elephants and sharks and his favorite move is “Jaws.”
    “You don’t know what’s around the next corner. You have to live every day to the fullest – life is too short to be angry,” she said.
    When Ruth Watkins thinks about her son’s Downs Syndrome and Crohn’s disease, she said she is reminded that life is about the little things and there is no “normal child” anymore.
    “He’ll probably never be a rocket scientist, but there’s nothing that says he can’t press the button to get the rocket into the air,” she said.
    She said life is about milestones, like when Nicholas says a new word clearly for the first time, or when he learned to cut steak by himself.
    The family has had to sacrifice small things, she said, adding she and her husband, Scott drive a 10 year old car.
“    We don’t need to look good from point A to point B, it’s all the stuff in between that matters,” she said.
    The family will leave for San Diego June 17.
    Contact Molly Lovell by calling 282-4337 ext. 223 or email news@inthecourier.com.