For Lilianna Bartow, a recent trip to Florida was more than just a vacation; it was a much-needed escape. The Ohio native, who lives with the lingering effects of past trauma, was recently granted a “Magical Dream” trip to Central Florida’s theme parks, giving her and her family a chance to focus on joy rather than hardship.
The experience was arranged by the Sunshine Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to answering the dreams of children living with severe lifelong chronic illnesses and conditions. While many wish-granting organizations require a critical or life-threatening diagnosis, the Sunshine Foundation fills a vital gap, serving children with conditions ranging from spina bifida and cerebral palsy to trauma from abuse.
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According to Lilianna’s mother, the trip was a resounding success. The family stayed at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village near Disney, where Lilianna got to sleep in a specialized “Space cottage.” When she wasn’t exploring the parks, she spent her time swimming and playing miniature golf on the village grounds.
“Lilianna had a blast on her Florida trip,” her mother said. “She loved riding the rides and eating amazing food.”
While Lilianna cited Animal Kingdom and Universal Studios as her favorite parks, the culinary highlight of the trip was unexpectedly humble. After a dinner at Texas Roadhouse, Lilianna declared their food was the “best she has ever had.”
“This experience brought so much joy and happiness to Lilianna,” her mother added. “Overall, as a family, this experience was just so wonderful.”
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Lilianna’s specific dream was funded through a donation from the Wawa Foundation. The Sunshine Foundation relies entirely on such contributions from corporations, organizations, and individuals to operate. Since its founding in 1976, the group has served more than 43,280 children across the United States.
The organization is currently the top-rated wish-granting charity in the country, boasting a perfect 100% score on Charity Navigator and an “A” rating from CharityWatch.
In addition to theme park trips, the foundation grants “Special Dreams,” which can include adaptive equipment, shopping sprees, and family cruises.
For more information on their mission or to support future dreams, visit www.sunshinefoundation.org.
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