West Hartford incoming second-grader receives custom treehouse through Make-A-Wish, turning years of medical challenges into a joyful moment of celebration and community support.

By Mia Jaworski 

With a flood of police officers, a new whistle, and a secret password – “Go Spidey Go!” – 6-year-old Peter celebrated the unveiling of his brand-new treehouse earlier this month, a dream brought to life by Make-A-Wish Connecticut and a team of dedicated volunteers, family members, and builders.

The unveiling initially took place two weeks ago in the family’s backyard, where a tarp was pulled back to reveal the elevated playhouse tucked behind the West Hartford home. 

Though not built in a tree, the structure was designed to give the feel of one, complete with toys, a loft, Spiderman mural, a signed “Peter” post and décor plans for Halloween.

A few feet away, Peter’s once-daily companions – a pair of rain boots he insisted on wearing for an entire year – sat beside the structure, finally off his feet and now filled with blooming plants.

“It’s awesome. It’s been a great experience,” said Peter’s mother, Jacquilynn, who stood among friends, family, and an enthusiastic group of West Hartford Police officers who showed up in force for the backyard celebration on Saturday morning.

Peter, who will begin second grade at Wolcott Elementary School this fall, was born with a congenital heart defect called Complete Congenital Heart Block. The condition, which affects about 1 in every 30,000 births, disrupts the heart’s electrical signals, causing dangerously low heart rates. 

At just 3 months old, Peter had surgery to implant a pacemaker in his abdomen – a device that still supports his heart today. He continues to receive regular care at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) and has undergone years of speech, physical, and occupational therapy.

Despite the challenges, Peter approaches life with energy, imagination, and big dreams – including becoming a K-9 police officer when he grows up.

That dream made the presence of local law enforcement at the celebration especially meaningful. Peter was gifted a bag of police freebies – filled with a whistle, stickers, patches, and a card signed by the entire West Hartford Police Department. Officers cheered him on and posed for photos near the treehouse.

Peter’s journey with Make-A-Wish began last spring, after a referral from one of his cardiology nurses at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. The organization first met with Peter and his family at Jonathan’s Dream playground in West Hartford, where volunteers helped him explore different wish ideas. 

After some brainstorming – and the creation of a Pinterest board – Peter knew exactly what he wanted: a treehouse to match the forts he loves to build in the woods behind school.

In October, Make-A-Wish confirmed his wish would be granted. By May, construction was underway. 

Matthew McKenna of Big Dawg Home Improvements led the project, which took about a week to build following a month and a half of design, permitting, and prep.

One of the most memorable moments came at an event hosted by Bertera Subaru in Hartford, where the dealership presented a donation to Make-A-Wish. Peter was surprised by cheering supporters, Spiderman, and members of the West Hartford Police Department. He even climbed into a real BearCat police vehicle and hit the siren – a thrilling experience for a future K-9 officer.

Peter’s celebration on Saturday also included lemonade and a chocolate cake. His brothers eagerly dug into the large blue mounds of icing, adding their own sweet stamp on the day.

Peter’s parents say the experience has been about more than a backyard fort – it’s been a chance to reflect on how far their son has come and how deeply their community cares.

“Peter doesn’t remember his time in the NICU or PICU, but we do,” said Jacquilynn. “Honestly, I don’t think I could ever find the words to express the love and gratitude. My heart is so full. This is just such a beautiful reminder of how much good there is in the world, how many generous and kind people there are.

And for those lucky enough to visit Peter’s new fort in the woods, don’t forget: to enter, you’ll need the password – “Go Spidey Go.”

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