Akirij, with level 3 severe autism, enjoyed a visit to the Central Florida theme parks.
Samuel’s Perfect Week
Samuel, who has holoprosencephaly and Cornelia de Lange syndrome, experienced a dream come true on a magical trip to Disney World with his family. This special week was filled with joy and unforgettable memories, giving them a wonderful break from their usual routines and challenges.
Thank you from Samuel’s Family
Samuel’s mom expressed immense gratitude, saying,
“I wanted to let you know that Samuel had an AMAZING trip to Disney World! We often refer to Samuel as ‘Samuel Sunshine,’ and he lived up to that name on the trip! He shared his happiness with everyone. He got a total of 42 hugs with characters! I think that must be a record. Of course, the hug he was waiting for most was with Tigger and Pooh. It did not disappoint, as he was smiling from ear to ear. Another good one was with Stitch. However, the most important one was with a cast member. Samuel made a friend with Gabrielle. We spent about an hour talking to her off and on because she was stationed near us during the fireworks. When he asked her for a hug, she said she just about cried because she had been having a hard day. We saw her again the next day, and her face lit up! Yup. She got another hug and this time I got a photo. This kid has a way of finding the people who need hugs.
We also went on EVERY ride! Samuel loved them all! His favorites were Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Flying Dinosaurs, and Dumbo.
I wanted to let you know how much we ALL appreciate the trip! Samuel was able to have fun from sunup to sundown. He was able to enjoy life in a way that other people may take for granted. True happiness. As his parents, we were also able to refresh our own buckets. You never realize how depleted energy is until it gets refreshed.”
Samuel’s Diagnosis
Samuel has been diagnosed with holoprosencephaly and Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Holoprosencephaly is a condition where the brain does not divide into two hemispheres as it typically should. This can lead to a variety of issues, including differences in facial features and brain function. The severity of the condition can vary widely, depending on how much the brain is affected. Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that leads to a variety of physical, cognitive, and behavioral differences. The signs and symptoms can vary greatly, ranging from mild to severe.
Sponsors
A special thank you goes out to our Summer of Sunshine donors and Drueding Foundation for their generous support in making Samuel’s dream a reality. Your kindness and generosity have brought Samuel and his family immense joy, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Our Mission
Sunshine Foundation answers the dreams of children, ages three through eighteen, who have severe or profound physical/developmental/intellectual challenges or trauma from physical/sexual abuse, and whose families have limited income. Since 1976, Sunshine Foundation has spread Sunshine into the lives of more than 42,500 children.
