BALDWINSVILLE — Fifteen-year-old Joseph “Joey” Ponto, of Baldwinsville, loves to tell jokes. He also loves being around people, especially his close-knit family. Given his ready smile and positive nature, it would be easy to lose sight of what the teen has been through.
But Joey has been through a lot.
Due to severe epilepsy and hydrocephalus caused by a brain cyst, Joey has had to undergo 45 surgeries in his lifetime, with 20 of those taking place within a span of a year and a half.
Following surgery in 2018 at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Joey’s seizures fortunately abated. However, he continues to contend with the cyst and accumulating fluid.
Despite all the surgeries and related procedures, he’s taken it all in stride, said his sister Jennifer Ponto.
“Nothing seemed to bother him,” she said. “He would say, ‘It’s just a surgery, I’ll be fine.’ Then he’d come out of surgery telling jokes. Joey just makes us all better people. He just has such a great attitude.”
While he’s been able to stay out of the hospital for more than a year now, the surgeries have taken a toll; Joey is currently unable to walk on his own. After being referred to Make-A-Wish Central New York, the teen took that reality into consideration and decided his wish would be for outdoor equipment that could give him a sense of independence and fun.
On Friday, July 30, 2021, Make-A-Wish Central New York, with support from Bankers Healthcare Group (BHG), granted Joey’s wish by presenting him with a three-wheeled recumbent bicycle and a covered, two-swing glider.
As Joey’s family kept him inside and away from the view of the backyard, staff and volunteers assembled the glider, staged the bicycle, and set up a celebratory feast in Joey’s honor.
“When we walked outside, he was shocked,” Jennifer said. “There was cake, pizza and gifts but the first thing he wanted to do was sit in that swing. It was such great experience, way more than we ever thought. We are so grateful!”
In addition to supporting the wish financially, BHG also provided a team to assemble the custom glider for Joey.
That hands-on approach is admirable and makes a big difference, said Make-A-Wish Central New York Director of Corporate Philanthropy Kate Veley.
“Both the company and its employees have consistently exceeded expectations, collaborating on our mission to grant wishes right here in Central New York,” Veley said. “They are the epitome of a corporate partner, from wielding a hammer to designing a bedroom, and we are most grateful for their continued engagement.”
Part of a global wish-granting organization, Make-A-Wish Central New York was founded in 1985 and has granted nearly 2,000 wishes for children throughout its 15-county footprint, which includes Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, St. Lawrence, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. With nearly 200 wishes in process, the organization needs the support of generous partners like BHG more than ever before. To lend support or learn more, visit cny.wish.org or call 315-475-WISH (9474).
