A Texas boy living with level 3 severe autism has received a custom sensory theme room makeover through the Sunshine Foundation, a national wish-granting organization.
The recipient, Ivan Gastalde, was granted the room makeover through the foundation’s “Adopt a Dream” program, which matches individual children’s wishes with corporate and individual donors.
The specialized items and lighting in the room are designed to provide both calming environments and positive sensory stimulation tailored to Ivan’s specific needs.
“Thanks to the donors, it made a big difference for my son, Ivan,” his mother said in a statement released by the charity. “He was so happy with his sensory-themed room. It made me tear up because with every single item I opened, he hugged it with excitement. It will also help calm him down, and he will be stimulated by the lights in the sensory room. Thank you to the Sunshine Foundation and all the donors for making Ivan’s dream come true. Thank you so much!”
Founded in 1976, the Sunshine Foundation focuses on answering the dreams of children living with severe, lifelong chronic illnesses, physical disabilities, and developmental conditions. The charity specifically serves families with limited incomes whose children have diagnoses such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, level 3 severe autism, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, severe epilepsy, and sickle cell disease.
Unlike some wish-granting organizations that exclusively serve children with terminal or life-threatening diagnoses, the Sunshine Foundation accepts applications for children with long-term chronic conditions who might otherwise be turned away. The organization relies entirely on donations from individuals, corporations, and organizations to fund its programs.
According to the organization, the charity’s most frequent request is a “Magical Dream” vacation package to Central Florida theme parks, including Legoland, Universal Studios, Disney World, and SeaWorld, with accommodations provided at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village. The group also fulfills “Special Dreams” requests, which encompass sensory rooms, adaptive tricycles, specialized medical equipment, computers, outdoor playsets, and family trips.
To date, the organization has fulfilled wishes for more than 44,000 children across the United States. The charity currently maintains a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator and an “A” rating from CharityWatch. Financial contributions and dream adoptions are managed directly through the organization’s official website.
READ: A Swing For Smiles: Local Boy’s Dream To Come True At Orange Lake Charity Golf Tournament
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