Marcos

Marcos was born at 26 weeks gestation, weighing 1 lb. 8 oz. Due to his extreme premature, he developed hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy. Both are chronic conditions, for which there is no cure. Marcos has had as many surgeries as he has had birthdays, Since he was discharged from the NICU, he spends time at the hospital at least 5 times each year. ER staff know us by name, since we visit them about once a month. In other words, Marcos grew up in hospital wards and ERs. He had few opportunities to enjoy a normal childhood. Marcos wants to become a social worker and work in hospitals. He believes that his own lived experience with hospitalizations and chronic conditions will benefit other children who are going through the same.He is an A+ student. He once finished a semester with all A’s even though he had brain surgery and spent 3 months in the hospital. The one thing Marcos tells me is that he wishes he could get a chance to be a kid. He’s no longer a little child, but he wishes he could some how recover a bit of what he lost. When he was told that he had been approved for a Sunshine Foundation Dream, he finally saw his opportunity to do something where he can feel like a child. Marcos is just plain happy that he’ll get to take his picture with Mickey Mouse s he’s always dreamed of.