Austin’s Tree House

This young boy’s inspiring life battle started when he was at the tender age of ten months old, when he was diagnosed with bilateral Wilms tumor, a rare cancer in both kidneys. Austin and his family were thrown into a new world of medical treatments, hospitals, and medical bills.

Austin’s mom, Krissy, shared, “through all of this, Austin never lost his fun-loving spirit; he has been positively delighted with his life even in the midst of such horrors.”

It was during one of the more than 150 nights that Austin spent in the hospital when he looked up at his mom from his hospital bed and told her, “I wish I had a tree house.”

The thought of being able to climb, slide, and play carefree like other kids seemed like a farfetched fantasy for little Austin. It didn’t take long for Austin’s wish to become reality, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and local support. Austin didn’t want just any tree house: he wanted a tree house inspired by his favorite movie, “Up”. This fall, the imaginative four-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio got to play on his tree house for the first time.

“He laughs, runs, leaps and plays like any other child. He has led all of us through this with strength, humor, and good hope. And, though he is small, he is a hero to many,” said Krissy. For Austin’s family, it was a chance to put along hospital visit behind them and to be together as a family.

The community came together to help make Austin’s wish a reality. We would like to thank Wish Sponsor Universal Windows Direct as well as volunteers, Payne & Payne Custom Builders, Inc., Western Reserve Farm Cooperative, and FC3 Architecture + Design, LLC for coming together to create such an amazing tree house and experience for Austin and his family.