Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Christmas came early for little Landon Windsor, son of Charlie and Amber Windsor of Milan. The three-year-old was granted his wish of a specially made play set by the Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter in Cincinnati. “He is very excited,” said his mother. The play set was delivered and set up at their home on Airport Road on Monday, December 1, despite the cold and snow.

“Landon was born with several problems,” said Mrs. Windsor. It was discovered that he had hydrocephalus, an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain, before he was born. He has also been diagnosed with septo-otic dysplasia, a condition that affects his vision.

In addition, Landon has a tracheostomy, gastric feeding tube, and uses a ventilator at night while sleeping. The Windsors have a home nurse to help with Landon at night and while his mother is at work.

According to Dan Borba, executive director of the Cincinnati area Make-A-Wish Foundation, wishes are granted to children ages two to 18-years-old with a life-threatening medical condition. After the child’s doctor has qualified the medical condition, his name is placed on a waiting list.

A volunteer team is then assigned to the child. The team meets with the parents and siblings to determine the child’s wish, and a second wish if the first one cannot be granted. “We do everything we can to bring joy, strength and hope to their lives,” said Borba.

Pete Delois Recreations Outlet, based in Mariemont, provided the play set for the Windsors. “They are great supporters of us,” said Borba. Employees Scott Schmidt and Hank ‘Tiny’ Mullins have built their 13th play set in three years for children like Landon. “It’s great helping these kids,” said Schmidt. “I love this job!”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation started in 1980, and has granted more than 167,000 wishes in the United States to date. All wishes are provided to eligible families at no cost to them. According to Borba, the foundation relies on charitable donations.

The most common wishes made are to travel to theme parks, sporting events or concerts; to be a police officer or firefighter for the day; meet their favorite celebrity; or to have a special gift such as a computer, tree house or a shopping spree. According to the Make-A-Wish Foundation website, the average cost of granting a wish is approximately $6200.

The Cincinnati office serves five counties in Southeast Indiana, seven counties in Kentucky, and 15 counties in Ohio, according to Borba. For more information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org or www.makeawishohio.org for the local chapter.

On an anonymous tip from a proud grandmother, the Windsors were visited by a Fox 19 news crew. The story of Landon’s early Christmas gift was aired on the December 1 edition of the 10 o’clock news. “We were so excited,” said his mother, “Landon really showed off for the camera.”

BETH RUMSEY PHOTOS Amber Windsor and son, Landon, are pictured at above at their Milan home. The two are all smiles as the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Cincinnati grants a wish for an outdoor playset for Landon - one he can actually play on. Pictured below are Scott Schmidt and Hank 'Tiny' Mullins with Pete Delois Recreations Outlet, who were busy erecting the outdoor playset on Monday of this week ignoring the snowy conditions.