Jonathan in Awe of Captain America

Last week, Jonathan embarked on a magical journey with his family, courtesy of the Sunshine Foundation and the generous sponsorship from Waste Gas Fabricating Company, Inc. His radiant spirit, despite facing challenges with cerebral palsy, encephalopathy, and developmental delay, illuminated every moment of his extraordinary dream trip to Universal Studios and Disney World.

From the moment Jonathan and his family arrived at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village, it was evident that their experience would be nothing short of extraordinary. The dedicated staff worked tirelessly to ensure every detail was perfect, creating an environment of warmth, comfort, and boundless possibilities.

Thank you from Jonathan’s Family

A visit to Universal Studios became a symphony of joy for Jonathan and his family. His eyes sparkled with wonder as he encountered beloved characters and immersed himself in a world of superheroes and cartoons. The private meet and greet with iconic figures like Spider-Man and Captain America brought pure delight, filling the air with laughter and unforgettable memories.

“It’s hard to put into words what this past week meant to us. We can’t thank Sunshine Foundation enough for sponsoring Johnny’s wish trip and Sunshine Foundation Dream Village for the absolutely amazing hospitality. Seeing what they do for families they have never met is inspiring and gives us hope. It was TRULY a magical week filled with joy, tears, laughter, love, and memories that will last a lifetime! As for our visit to Universal, it was so phenomenal. Johnny has shown interest in cartoons, superheroes, dinosaurs, the Grinch, etc. The way his eyes lit up, and he just took everything in, blew me away. He was very attentive to the shows and extended his hand out to the characters to hold their hand and say hi. I couldn’t help but get emotional when Johnny got to have his private meet-and-greet with the superheroes. He has shown favoritism towards Spider-Man, but it was mind-blowing to see how he got so excited about everyone and how drawn he was to Captain America and his shield. He immediately noticed Spider-Man, but after he got a chance to hold Captain America’s shield, he was sold! Totally hooked! He was laughing the entire time and just beaming with happiness. Whenever we were walking around and he would see a shield, he would reach for it! He just showed us he’s reached a lot of milestones, and it was an amazing thing to witness. From the workers to the characters, we felt seen and cared for.” – Jonathan’s mother, Laura.

Exploring the Dream Village, Jonathan’s joy knew no bounds. Every corner held the promise of adventure, from the space-themed cottage to the rocket ship that captured his imagination. His laughter became the melody of the trip, echoing through the halls and touching the hearts of all who had the privilege of witnessing his joy.

For Jonathan’s family, including his loving mother, Laura, and devoted sister, Melanie, the journey was a testament to the transformative power of love and community. Laura’s heartfelt reflections on the trip encapsulated the depth of emotion and gratitude felt by the entire family as they reveled in the beauty of shared experiences and cherished moments.

Jonathan’s Diagnosis

One of Jonathan’s diagnoses is cerebral palsy, a disorder that affects movement and posture. Static encephalopathy is described as permanent or irreversible brain damage. Those with static encephalopathy often suffer an array of problems, such as seizures, speech delays, and poor motor skills, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Sponsors

We are very grateful to Waste Gas Fabricating Company, Inc. for answering Jonathan’s dream.

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