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On one day, in one city, the world comes together to grant one 5 year old cancer patient his wish. “Batkid Begins” looks at the ‘why’ of this flash phenomenon.
I had a good friend that volunteered for the Make-a-Wish Foundation and I was fortunate enough to go with her to the home of a sick child and tell the family their child’s wish had been granted. It was a tear-jerker moment that left me feeling humble and honored. Make-a-Wish did not plan on this to be the spectacle that it became; in fact they grew quite concerned with the crowds planning to attend. But this powerful event could not be stopped.
It began with a small, harmless wish from a little boy that had been diagnosed with leukemia. Enter the most adorable five year old who will melt your heart. Diagnosed at 18 months, he became eligible for the Make-a-Wish program early on; however, his parents felt it best to wait so he would remember and appreciate his wish.
Teresa Clovicko was originally charged with planning Mile’s wish and she does a fantastic job. Her enthusiasm is contagious and as she involved other people that fervor grew rampant among the participants. She had the foresight to bring in Eric Johnston (E.J) to play Batman to Mile’s Batkid. There is no doubt that without E.J.’s role, five year old Batkid would not have been so eager to battle The Riddler. Everyone involved in this wish made every effort to do this for Miles. The original thought was to have it for a few hours in the afternoon at a park. But this was not to be.
As word of Mile’s wish grew through social media this soon became more than a little boy’s wish. It became a world event. Everyone wanted to get involved. There were police chiefs, and mayors, Lamborghini dealers, and of course, the enormous crowds of supporters. After much planning, the day arrived for Miles to be transformed into Batkid. Although this was an enormous affair, I felt the dignity of the family remained intact and Make-a-Wish’s desire to protect their privacy was evident.
People came from all over the country, Twitter tweeted out in-depth coverage, Make-a-Wish’s website crashed from the traffic, but when all is said and done, Miles got his wish. However, unbeknownst to Miles, his whimsical, innocent wish, gave the city a gift in return. There is noticeable phenomenon in this film that highlights the human spirit and the ultimate need for us to be part of something that brings others joy.
I am so glad this documentary was created as I wonder if it had not been just how much this young five-year-old would remember in his later years. He will know that his innocent wish united a city and in a way, united the world and for that we can all be thankful.
In select theaters July 10th
