ROAN MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WJHL) — A teenager in Roan Mountain had a longtime wish of his granted on Monday thanks to Make-A-Wish East Tennessee.
Tyler Jordan is 16 years old and has been bravely fighting a brain tumor, according to his mother Jessica. Tyler became a music fan during his time at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“He was introduced to music as a St. Jude patient,” Jessica said. “Being in isolation during the treatments was really, really tough for him, so finding his guitar and the love for playing his guitar has opened a world for him and it really carried him through the difficult time.”
Since then, making and recording music has been Tyler’s ultimate dream. The local chapter of Make-A-Wish made this dream come true Monday, providing him with all the tools and instruments he needs to record all the music he wants.
Tyler said he plans to put the equipment to good use as soon as possible.
“I’m hoping to try and figure out some of this new technology, and try my new guitar and everything, and try to record a couple of my songs that I’ve already wrote and put them up on Spotify for my friends to listen to or something,” he said.
“I never expected to be able to have any of this, even a Martin [guitar], and even the little things, never expected to be able to do something like this and it’s such a blessing to be able to have this opportunity.”
Wish coordinator Haley Reiss told News Channel 11 that although money can’t buy happiness, it can provide some joy to kids who are battling a significant illness.
“You can see the joy that the kids have when we talk about Make-A-Wish, when we meet with them they think good is finally coming along in their lives, and it definitely affects the families, as well,” she said.
Make-A-Wish East Tennessee serves children with critical illnesses in a 36-county territory from Bristol to Chattanooga and Crossville to the Carolina border.
