Jake Age 15 Hope, Maine "I Wish To Have a Segway!"

Photo credit: Holly Anderson/Village Soup Read complete Village Soup article

Fifteen-year-old Jake, of Hope, was born with only half a heart, which in turn restricts his lung capacity. As a result, his mobility is severely limited and he gets winded easily. Friends or teachers often carry him on their backs to his classes at school, and he isn't able to do many of the activities that his buddies are able to do. When Jake - who has had multiple surgeries and is being considered for a heart transplant - learned that he was eligible for a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine, he knew right away that he wanted a Segway.

A Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing, electric personal transportation device, which many consumers are purchasing as an alternative to gas-fueled vehicles. Jake's mother, Kathy, said that the independence the Segway will give her son will be life-changing. "He'll be able to do more with his buddies and be able to go places he's never been able to go on his own," she said, stressing that independence is important for a fifteen-year-old.

Jake, who volunteers at the Owl's Head Transportation Museum, was surprised on Saturday, June 24, when he was picked up at his home by a limousine and taken to the Transportation Museum where a party of friends and family - and a brand new Segway - was waiting for him. Marybeth Alosa, of Segway of Northern New England, drove up from New Hampshire to train Jake on his new Segway, which he caught onto right away, turning and stopping without hesitation.

With his new Segway, Jake is looking forward to riding to his job this summer selling ice cream at the Hope General Store. Perhaps most exciting, he will finally be able to keep up with his friends on his "really cool" Segway as they ride bikes or skateboards.

Jake with his father (Andy), brother (David), and mother (Kathy).
Photo credit: Holly Anderson/Village Soup


Marybeth Alosa, owner of Segway of Northern New England in Concord, New Hampshire,
delivered Jake's Segway and taught him how to use it.

Wish Granters:  Michelle Peaco and Chipper Winstanley

Featured Supporter:   Bank of America

Special thanks to:  Marybeth Alosa of Segway of Northern New England, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Nichols, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Kehrhahn, Andrew Stewart/Hope General Store, Arnold Memorial Medical Center, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Swift, Virginia Carr, Chipper Winstanley, Mikado