For four years, Diego Huerta-Tapia and his family from California have navigated a demanding schedule of therapies to manage his Level 3 Severe Autism. Recently, thanks to the generosity of a donor and the Sunshine Foundation, Diego received a much-needed respite, embarking on a “Magical Dream” trip to the enchanting theme parks of Central Florida.
The trip proved to be a resounding success, leaving an indelible mark on young Diego. “Diego truly had a great time,” shared his mother. “It was such a blessing seeing my son smiling and enjoying a little time off from school and therapies.”
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Among the many cherished memories made, one character stood out above the rest for Diego: “After this trip he told everyone back home that his favorite part of the trip was meeting Donald Duck. He loved everything!” His mother added that Diego “can’t stop thinking about his magical trip to Orlando, FL. He asks me to show him photos from the trip every night. He tells me he wants to go back.”
The family’s gratitude for the opportunity was palpable. “Thank you again for making my son’s Diego dream a reality. We all enjoyed a little time off from our busy lives. Having to do therapies for four years is not easy for anyone and we are truly thankful for the opportunity we had to enjoy some time off. We are grateful and we cannot forget about our experience.”
The Sunshine Foundation is dedicated to answering the dreams of children living with lifelong severe chronic illnesses and conditions. Unlike some other wish-granting organizations, the Sunshine Foundation does not require a life-threatening or critical diagnosis, extending its reach to children with conditions such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, severe epilepsy, and Level 3 severe autism, like Diego.
Diego’s “Dream Come True” was made possible through the kindness of a generous donor, a testament to the foundation’s reliance on individual, organizational, and corporate support to fulfill these precious wishes.
While Magical Dreams to Central Florida theme parks like Legoland, Universal Studios, Disney World, and SeaWorld (often with stays at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village) are the most frequent requests, the organization also grants “Special Dreams.” These can include shopping sprees, computers and iPads, outdoor playsets, family trips, cruises, adaptive tricycles, and other specialized equipment.
Since its inception in 1976, the Sunshine Foundation has brought joy and “Sunshine” to over 43,280 children across the United States. The organization proudly holds a perfect 100% score on Charity Navigator and an “A” rating on CharityWatch, solidifying its reputation as a top-rated wish-granting organization.
To learn more about the Sunshine Foundation or to contribute to making another child’s dream a reality, please visit www.sunshinefoundation.org.
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