Pool Provides Comfort and Joy for Laurinburg Boy Living with Severe Autism
For Dakstyn Lowery, a young North Carolina resident living with Level 3 Severe Autism, the summer just got a whole lot brighter. Thanks to the Sunshine Foundation, Dakstyn has received a special above-ground swimming pool, a “Special Dream” that has already brought immense joy and comfort to him and his family.
Dakstyn’s mother shared their profound gratitude, stating, “We are beyond grateful to the Sunshine Foundation for making Dakstyn’s dream come true. Watching him splash and smile in his very own pool every afternoon has been such a gift to our family. It has helped calm his meltdowns, ease his aggression, and bring him so much pure joy. For the first time in a long time, he is truly happy and as a parent, there are no words to express how much that means. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving our little boy this happiness.”
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The Sunshine Foundation is dedicated to answering the dreams of children nationwide who live with lifelong severe chronic illnesses and conditions.
Unlike some other wish-granting organizations that require a life-threatening or critical diagnosis, the Sunshine Foundation embraces a broader mission, supporting children with conditions such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, Level 3 severe autism, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, severe epilepsy, Sickle Cell Disease, blindness, deafness, and those who have experienced trauma from abuse, among others.
Dakstyn’s “Dream Come True” was made possible by a generous donation from the Race for the Kids Foundation. The Sunshine Foundation relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations, and corporations to make these dreams a reality for children who might otherwise be turned away.
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While a common request is a “Magical Dream” to visit theme parks like Legoland, Universal Studios, Disney World, and SeaWorld, often including a stay at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village near Disney, the organization also fulfills a wide array of “Special Dreams.” These can include shopping sprees, computers and iPads, outdoor playsets, above-ground swimming pools, family trips, cruises, adaptive tricycles, and other crucial special needs equipment.
Since its inception in 1976, the Sunshine Foundation has touched the lives of 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 in America.
For more information on the Sunshine Foundation and how to contribute to their mission, please visit www.sunshinefoundation.org.
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