For Elk Grove man, simple hat gift means the world

John Kazmierczak had a very simple wish: to wear a baseball cap.

The 56-year-old, who lives at ManorCare in Elk Grove Village, has a collection of more 30 baseball hats from his favorite sports teams, and others donated from places like the Chicago Fire Department.

Kazmierczak liked to carry them around the care center on his walker but, until this week, he'd never owned a hat he was able to wear, because he has a condition known as hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of brain fluid that causes progressive swelling of the head.

But this week, Kazmierczak got a big treat when the care center, as part of its Heart's Desire Program and with help from the Hydrocephalus Foundation and BigHats.com, surprised him with four specially hats sized specially for him.

All Kazmierczak knew going into Tuesday was it was going to be "Hat Day" at the center, and Amy Barnicle of ManorCare said he was "kind of sad" that everyone else would be wearing hats when he couldn't.

But during a regular music activity, Kazmierczak, who has lived at the care center for many years, was presented with his hats and learned the special event was planned all for him. He beamed with joy, noting he hadn't been able to wear hats since his grandmother would make them for him when he was a boy.

The Heart's Desire program gives patients at ManorCare of Elk Grove Village and at HCR ManorCare's 350 facilities nationwide the chance to fulfill their greatest wishes or desires. Thousands of wishes have been granted since the program's inception in 1997.