Bossier City boy's wish granted by Make-A-Wish

BOSSIER CITY, La. - A wish was granted in Bossier City for eight-year-old Easton Snider by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Snider had one thing at the top of his wish list: Malibu. However, instead of sunny beaches in Florida, he wished for a horse he has been riding for the last two years named Malibu.

Family and volunteers threw a surprise party Thursday for Snider at his grandparents' home to make his wish a reality. Snider did not know he would have his wish granted. 

"I wished for Malibu. I don't want to go to Disneyland," said Snider. 

Volunteers for Make-A-Wish like Tricia Laurent interview children and ask them what they want most in the world. 

"I ask three things normally: if you could go anywhere, if you could buy anything, or if you could meet anybody, what would that be? I couldn't even get that out of my mouth. This child knew what he wanted. He wanted Malibu," said Laurent.

Make-A-Wish worked with Seventh Heaven Stables in Benton to bring Malibu home to Easton. 

"The smiles are what we do this for. Price is not an option when you get to see a smile like that," said board advisor Bill Windham. 

Snider was born without the left side of his heart. He had two open heart surgeries, two brain surgeries and a heart transplant before his first birthday. His mother Ashlea Trosclair says riding Malibu has helped develop his motor functions and emotional development. 

"His health is now thriving. We're doing wonderful. We are very lucky for a second chance at life because not everybody is so fortunate. It is nice to see your kid hope for things and wish for things. Then people make it come true. It was pretty miraculous," said Trosclair.

When Snider closed the gate to Malibu's stable, he realized she was his forever.

Over 80 wishes have been granted in Louisiana this year by Make-A-Wish. If you'd like to donate to make other children's wishes come true, click here.