9-year-old becomes CTA operator for the day thanks to Make-A-Wish Illinois
CHICAGO — A Chicago boy with a passion for trains got to spend his morning navigating the tracks of the L thanks to Make-A-Wish Illinois.
9-year-old Idris Lockett had his wish granted on Monday morning when he got the chance to be a CTA operator for the day.
“If anyone knows Idris, we call him Hero, he absolutely loves the CTA train. He’ll pick the CTA train over Chuck-e-Cheese any day,” Idris’ mother Catherine Campbell said.
Idris, who is affectionately known as Hero, was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome at birth and since then, he has had three open-heart surgeries.
“He’s had outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy. He’s had IEP, he’s had issues with manipulating his hands,” Campbell said.
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But on Monday, the troubles of life were put to the side, all to make way for a Green Line train with Idris at the helm.
“He’s been through a whole lot, a lot, but he’s still here. You wouldn’t know just by looking at him. We call him Hero, we gave him that name before he was even born. So it’s very fitting for him
Idris, alongside his close family and friends, boarded the Green Line from their home on the city’s West Side, and with the help of the conductors, he learned how to navigate the tracks and even made a couple of stops.
During the experience, Idris got the chance to meet with CTA officials and Chicago police officers who greeted him with gifts, like a backpack full of goodies and a stuffed animal dressed in a CTA uniform.
- 9-year-old becomes CTA operator for the day thanks to Make-A-Wish Illinois
“I’m just so overwhelmed. My heart is fluttering. Just overwhelmed with joy and excitement. I’m so excited that his wish was able to be fulfilled,” Campbell said.
The ride finally came to an end at Union Station, where a big celebration was held in the young boy’s honor.
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It was a special day, all about celebrating Idris and his track to a stronger future on World Wish Day.
“We grant wishes because we know that they help children recover or cope with a critical illness and we feel it’s very important to treat their spirit as well as doctors are treating their bodies,” Jessica Miller, the Senior Communications Specialist at Make-A-Wish Illinois, said.
April 29, known as World Wish Day, is the culmination of World Wish Month.
It is a worldwide commemoration that pays tribute to the original group of “WishMakers,” who granted the first wish back in 1980. Some of those involved in the first wish, inspired by the experience, went on to form Make-A-Wish, and have since granted over 585,000 wishes across the globe.
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