A New Jersey child with special needs recently returned from a Caribbean cruise after having his wish granted by a national wish-granting organization.
Brett Patro, a Cape May resident who lives with Trisomy 21, a form of Down syndrome, received the trip as a “Special Dream” from the Sunshine Foundation. The vacation was funded directly by proceeds from an annual golf tournament hosted by the organization’s all-volunteer Ocean City Cape Atlantic New Jersey Chapter.
According to Patro’s family, the trip provided a highly engaging experience for the young boy.
“I can’t thank you enough for helping us with our trip,” the Patro family said in a statement. “Brett was the star of the cruise and got the party going every night! He even won ‘Mr Sexy Legs’! Thank you again for the amazing memories!”
The Sunshine Foundation focuses its mission on answering the dreams of children aged 3 to 18 who live with severe, lifelong chronic illnesses, physical disabilities, or trauma, and whose families meet specific income limitations.
The charity frequently serves children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, level 3 severe autism, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, and severe epilepsy.
Unlike some other wish-granting groups, the organization does not require a child to have a terminal or life-threatening diagnosis to qualify for a wish.
While the foundation reports that its most frequent requests are “Magical Dreams” to visit Florida theme parks like Disney World, Universal Studios, Legoland, and SeaWorld—where families stay at the charity’s dedicated Dream Village—it also approves alternative “Special Dreams.” These requests include specialized equipment, computers, adaptive tricycles, outdoor playsets, and family cruises.
Established in 1976, the Sunshine Foundation has served more than 44,000 children across the United States. The nonprofit currently holds a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator and an “A” grade from CharityWatch.
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