It’s an escape from reality – a life sized Super Mario game controlled by 10-year-old Patrick of Prince Albert.
“He made a wish to the wish foundation, and that was to play a life-sized game of Mario. I played Mario as a kid, I play it now... so when I was asked, I said ‘Yeah, I’m down,' ” said Louis Gareau, who played the role of Mario.
More than 50 volunteers worked to make it happen, including local theatre group Odyssey Productions, students from Carlton High School and staff at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre.
“To do it in a week is pretty special. It tells me Prince Albert is full of great people, and to make a wish like this... it shows the heart of the community,” said Roxanne Dyck, who helped to organize the event.
The Children's Wish Foundation completes over 50 wishes a year in Saskatchewan and each wish is as unique as the child. Patrick has terminal brain cancer and is confined to a wheelchair, but these creative volunteers gave him and his family respite from reality.
“It’s a real testimony to what can be done when there is a situation and something that needs to be done,” says Gay Oldhaver, the provincial director of the foundation. “It takes the mind of many people and the hands of many people”
It wasn’t just Patrick who was moved by the wish come true.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic to help this kid. And if it’s what he needs in his life to help keep him going, I’m down to help,” said Gareau.
An old pro at Super Mario, Patrick defeated Bowser in the end and went on to save the princess.
