Ailing child enjoys special shopping experience

Dre Nathaniel did some back-to-school shopping in style Saturday.

Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the 9-year-old Merriwether Elementary School fourth-grader rode to North Augusta's Wal-Mart in a black limousine, along with his mother and several other family members.

"He's been real excited," said his mother, Cynthia Nathaniel.

A computer, a video game and shoes were a few of the things on his shopping list. The Make-A-Wish Foundation provided $900 for the spree, and Wal-Mart provided some free merchandise.

Dre, who has cystic fibrosis, received a basketful of computer- related items such as ink cartridges, paper and a smiley face mouse pad courtesy of the store.

Dre picked out two X-Box games, Juiced and Street Fighter, a book bag and a remote-controlled Escalade. Wal-Mart also donated those items, which retail for more than $184.

"We're honored," said Scot Pfeffer, the store manager. "There are a lot of places he could go."

More than a dozen Wal-Mart associates greeted Dre and his family when they entered the store. They did the Wal-Mart cheer, and Mr. Pfeffer presented Dre with his own Wal-Mart smock and name tag, making him an "honorary associate." Dre smiled and said he was happy.

Dre was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was 3 months old. He weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces when he was born; and three months later he was still at his birth weight, his mother said.

With the disease, "a defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections," according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Web site, www.cff.org.

The mucous also can cause problems with the pancreas and prevent enzymes necessary for digestion from entering the intestines. Dre undergoes three breathing treatments a day and takes medication so he can properly digest food. He visits the doctor about once every three months.

According to Michelle Crapse, a foundation board member and wish grantor, a large number of children in the Aiken County area seek wishes every year, and volunteers are needed to make them come true. Locally, about 14 to 16 wishes are granted each year.

For more information, call Ms. Crapse at 643-0523.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.

Volunteers needed

The Aiken region Make-A-Wish Foundation is in need of volunteers to make wishes come true. For more information, call 643-0523.