BACK TO THE SEA! A CHILD’S WISH BECOMES A JOURNEY
A child receiving treatment in Perugia wished to return to the beach. Three professionals linked to the Chianelli organisation took her to Senigallia with her parents. A story of listening, presence and care.
Feet in the water. Sand to touch. Shells to look for with Mum and Dad. In Senigallia, a child receiving treatment at the paediatric oncohaematology unit in Perugia returned to the sea she had longed to see again for years. Three adults listened to that wish and arranged to take her there.
The outing took place on Sunday 18 October 2026; newspapers reported it on 20 October. Staff linked to the Comitato per la vita “Daniele Chianelli” made it possible after doctors gave their approval.
It begins with someone who listens
The child has been staying at the Daniele Chianelli Residence with her family for over a year. During a conversation with the psychologists, her wish to return to the sea emerged. Staff offered to accompany her.
That is the moment that makes us pause. A wish is heard, taken seriously and turned into a possibility. How often does someone tell us about something that matters to them? Listening means making room for their voice before rushing to the next reply.
Three names, one journey, one family
Psychologist Michela Forconi, educator Veronica Capobianco and neuropsychomotor therapist Niccolò Lo Re travelled with the child and her parents. Lo Re has stayed close to the organisation since leaving its staff. Their destination was the coast of the Marche region.
On the beach there was time for play, shells and a brief moment with her feet in the water. Those who accompanied the family described how moving it was to see them share those moments.
We do not know the child’s thoughts, and they remain hers. The adults’ actions speak clearly: they devoted time, presence and practical organisation to something she wished for. A concrete form of generosity, involving professional skills and responsibility.
Care reaches into everyday life
Franco Chianelli described feeling concerned at first, despite medical approval. In his account, supporting people includes attending to their needs and happiness. The organisation provides social and psychological support alongside patients’ medical care, including help for their families.
The Residence, near Perugia’s hospital, also accommodates relatives free of charge. This network offers people support and services while they are away from home.
Whose wish could you listen to today?
This story offers an invitation close to everyday life: ask someone how they are, then stay to hear the answer. Perhaps you can take them somewhere, help with an errand or set aside an afternoon together.
We cannot always make someone’s wish come true. We can acknowledge that it matters. Sometimes the first gift is letting a person feel there is room for them, for what they love and what they miss.
In Senigallia, that space took the shape of a beach and a shared journey. The sea was the wish. Someone listening made the rest possible.
