8-year-old heart transplant recipient from Bossier gets surprise from Make-A-Wish

Eight-year-old Easton Snyder opened his shirt to the media and exposed a large scar on his chest. “I have a borrowed heart,” he said about the heart transplant surgery he had when he was one.

He knew it was the reason why the Make-A-Wish foundation had asked him what his wish was several months ago.

What he did not know, was that in just a few minutes, that wish would come true.

Several feet away, hiding in a stable, was a horse named Malibu. For a long time, Snyder has been taking riding lessons with Malibu at Seventh Heaven Ranch with manager Kendyl Tipton.

Tipton has witnessed first-hand the unique bond the horse and boy have, “We do probably 30 lessons a week, and she (Malibu) does not act the way that she does with him. The bond is amazing.”

That afternoon, Tipton was the one who led Malibu out into the backyard as Snyder learned that his wish was coming true. Malibu was now his horse.

“Is that Malibu?” Snyder asked when he first saw the horse. As he ran closer, he recognized Tipton and gave her a big hug.

Snyder's mother, Ashlea Trosclair, smiled as she watched the events unfold. She remembers when he first asked for the horse and how she responded with doubt, “I don't know, it's a really big wish,” she recalls saying.

She also recalls Snyder’s response, “It's okay, Mom, we'll just pray for it.”

“This is the one thing that he wanted more than anything else in the world,” Trosclair said. “It is a very, very beautiful gift that we're eternally grateful for,” she continued.

It’s moments like these that have kept William Windham on the board of the Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana for more than 20 years, “I've been doing it long enough now that I see the potential for healing where healing was not a viable option before.”

Tipton has seen for herself the change in Snyder, “He's a different kid. When he started his confidence was kind of low. Now, he's out there walking, trotting, and swinging a rope…it's amazing.”

Smiling the whole time, Snyder held onto Malibu and said, “It’s the most wonderful thing.”

Make-A-Wish aims to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses because they believe the power of a wish experience can help improve emotional and physical health.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: 8-year-old heart transplant recipient from Bossier gets surprise from Make-A-Wish