Paul gets his mower wish

Paul gets his mower wish

A lawnmower. That’s what Hokio Beach teenager Paul Marsters-Sasa wished for.

He could have had a holiday in Queenstown, met an All Black, or swam with dolphins, but after serious thought, he let the people at Make-A-Wish Foundation know his decision.

Of the hundreds of wishes they receive each year, it was the first time anyone has wished for a lawnmower. But it’s more than that for Paul.

It’s been a tough year. After a rugby trial last year his legs started swelling, then that night his entire body. He was rushed to Palmerston North Hospital in agony. After a long series of tests, he was diagnosed with kidney disorder refractory nephrotic syndrome.

“I was playing rugby and wasn’t feeling well. It was a big surprise,” he says.

He was generally fit. His life was turned upside down. The disease causes the body to swell. Paul was in and out of hospital and had almost six months away from school.

His immune system had packed up so he picked up any bug that was going around. It was a case of trialling a long list of medication in an effort to minimise the effects of the illness. He takes a “box” of medication to keep symptoms at bay.

“I’m OK for now. It’s definitely changed what I can do and I was a bit gutted, but I am grateful. Other people have other things way worse,” he says.

The strapping number eight had to hang up his boots. With no more rugby, basketball or boxing, to keep busy he and cousin Marcel Marsters-Taniwha started mowing lawns, starting with their grandparents’ Lillian and Paul Marsters’ lawn and vegetable garden.

“It felt good to give Grandad a bit of a hand and learn about growing vegies,” he says.

A few locals heard about the quality of their work, and it’s turned into a weekend side-hustle, although fatigue is still an issue for the 17-year-old. He has “good days and bad days” – hence the wish. Having a ride-on lawnmower meant he and Marcel can keep mowing.

His mother, Paula, was initially surprised he wished for a mower, but it soon made perfect sense.

“He said ‘no Mum, you have to look at the big picture’. He did think long and hard about it, and this is something he can manage.

“Marcel kept the round going when Paul was at his worst. There’s just three months separating them. They’re the best of mates. They’re good boys.”

Paula says they had a visit from local Make-A-Wish volunteers Tony Thomas and
Letitia Armstrong this year.

“They were so lovely. They said to Paul ‘don’t be afraid to think big’,” she says.

Tony says on visiting Paul he remembers being surprised at his wish, usually taking wishes for a trip, a Playstation or a new puppy. But after spending time with Paul it soon made sense. He could see Paul and Marcel’s push mower was “on its
last legs”.

Tony says Paul was aware he was getting a new mower, but no idea it was an entry level commercial mower.

“I don’t think he could quite believe it,” he says. “He was so surprised, and very grateful. He was over the moon and the family were just lovely people to be around.”

Make-a-Wish is a not for profit and relies on donations and grants. It has granted 240 wishes this year – in Paul’s case a donation from the Ted Manson Foundation. Tony and Letitia are among 200 volunteers nationwide.

Wish producer Helen Somerville says wishes are referred by either medical specialists or social workers and wish producers confirm their eligibility. Volunteers then follow up with family and help facilitate the wish.

Rowan Clarke from Horowhenua Outdoor machinery delivered the brand-new ride-one lawnmower last weekend, valued at more than $9000, and gave Paul a few pointers.

Not too long after, Paul and Marcel headed out on a job.

“He didn’t know we were coming so it was great to see his surprise,” Rowan says. “It’s a pleasure to be involved and help a local family out,” he says.