Make-A-Wish delivers joy in the form of a backyard sanctuary

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

10 years ago

Vinnie Huebner, 9, left, smiles while swinging on his new playground during a Make-A-Wish reveal event Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Las Vegas. His sister Gianna, 5, watches nearby. Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada granted a wish for Vinnie, who survived a stroke at birth and has lived with Cerebral Palsy among other medical challenges, to have a backyard sanctuary where Huebner can relax, play, feel safe and perform physical therapy at his home. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Cindy Huebner is overcome with emotion when expressing her gratitude during a Make-A-Wish reveal event Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Las Vegas. Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada granted a wish for Vinnie, who survived a stroke at birth and has lived with Cerebral Palsy among other medical challenges, to have a backyard sanctuary where Huebner can relax, play, feel safe and perform physical therapy at his home. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Cindy Huebner covers the ears of her son Vinnie as they watch a noisy crane in front of their house during a Make-A-Wish reveal event Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Las Vegas. Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada granted a wish for Vinnie Huebner, 9, who survived a stroke at birth and has lived with Cerebral Palsy among other medical challenges, to have a backyard sanctuary where Huebner can relax, play, feel safe and perform physical therapy at his home. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Steve Escarcega attaches a strap to a crane that will lift a 1,200-lb. swim spa into the air and over a two-story home into the Huebner’s backyard as part of a Make-A-Wish reveal event Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Las Vegas. Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada granted a wish for Vinnie Huebner, 9, who survived a stroke at birth and has lived with Cerebral Palsy among other medical challenges, to have a backyard sanctuary where Huebner can relax, play, feel safe and perform physical therapy at his home. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A 1,200-lb. swim spa is hoisted into the air and brought over a two-story home into the Huebner’s backyard as part of a Make-A-Wish reveal event Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Las Vegas. Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada granted a wish for Vinnie Huebner, 9, who survived a stroke at birth and has lived with Cerebral Palsy among other medical challenges, to have a backyard sanctuary where Huebner can relax, play, feel safe and perform physical therapy at his home. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Nick Mattke, left, and Steve Escarcega work to steady a swim spa that is attached to a crane in the Huebner’s backyard as part of a Make-A-Wish reveal event Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Las Vegas. Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada granted a wish for Vinnie Huebner, 9, who survived a stroke at birth and has lived with Cerebral Palsy among other medical challenges, to have a backyard sanctuary where Huebner can relax, play, feel safe and perform physical therapy at his home. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Steve Escarcega, center, and Nick Mattke work on a swim spa that was placed by a crane into the Huebner’s backyard as part of a Make-A-Wish reveal event Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Las Vegas. Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada granted a wish for Vinnie Huebner, 9, who survived a stroke at birth and has lived with Cerebral Palsy among other medical challenges, to have a backyard sanctuary where Huebner can relax, play, feel safe and perform physical therapy at his home. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Vinnie Huebner, 9, left, smiles while swinging on his new playground during a Make-A-Wish reveal event Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Las Vegas. Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada granted a wish for Vinnie, who survived a stroke at birth and has lived with Cerebral Palsy among other medical challenges, to have a backyard sanctuary where Huebner can relax, play, feel safe and perform physical therapy at his home. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Vinnie Huebner, 9, left, and his mother Cindy share a moment during a Make-A-Wish reveal event Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Las Vegas. Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada granted a wish for Vinnie, who survived a stroke at birth and has lived with Cerebral Palsy among other medical challenges, to have a backyard sanctuary where Huebner can relax, play, feel safe and perform physical therapy at his home. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Make-A-Wish (Screengrab/WLBZ2)

Vinnie Huebner, 9, got a big surprise on Saturday.

Thanks to Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada, he was beaming as he played on a swing and explored the new playground that dropped out of the sky into his backyard.

Well, a crane was involved.

Vinnie, who survived a stroke at birth and has lived with Cerebral Palsy among other medical challenges,now has a backyard sanctuary where he can relax, play, feel safe and perform physical therapy at his home.

Workers set up the swing and a steady a swim spa. Vinnie’s mother, Cindy Huebner, was overcome with emotion as she expressed her gratitude during the Make-A-Wish reveal event.