Campaigns

Angelo was born in February of 2013. Angelo loves vehicles! He loves hot wheels, race cars, dump trucks, fire engines, monster trucks (these might be his favorite), and four wheelers. He enjoys playing outside in the backyard with his brother and sisters, holding his guinea pigs, and helping his dad fix things in the garage. The most difficult thing for Ang is family relationships. He has been diagnosed with RAD; it’s an an attachment disorder due to his life before we adopted him. He suffered from a month-long withdrawal from drugs at birth. He was left alone, with very little human interaction, and laid in a crib for almost three years of his life. I can’t even imagine what he went through. His reactions to everyday normal situations are almost like flashbacks. His behavior comes out in the most unloving ways to us, his immediate family. Hugs and signs of love are almost painful to him at times, but he shows outward signs of love to strangers. This is something we are always working on. We were so blessed to be able to adopt three kids from foster care, one being Angelo’s biological little sister Rosalina. The neglect Rosie suffered was very similar to Angelo’s, and thankfully she didn’t have to suffer for long. She came to us at seventeen days old. Angelo picked Disney World because it has been a dream of his to get to meet all the characters from his favorite Disney movies (he loves them all)! He is so excited to ride on the Test Track! He tells everyone his sisters are princesses so the choice for him was easy. Angelo absolutely deserves some Disney Magic. This will be a dream come true for all of us.

Logan, born on 5/28/13, is a fun, energetic boy who loves running, playgrounds, amusement park rides, and soccer. Due to his ADHD and anxiety, his energy level is substantial. Logan has global development delays, which means he’s unable to zip, button clothes, tie shoes, or write his name. Logan is diagnosed with intellectual disability, with cognitive ataxia which causes him to process things much slower. He struggles with school and requires special education and many therapies. Logan’s Dream is to go to Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida. He chose this dream because he loves dolphins (any water aquarium animals), and this dolphin experience would bring so much joy to his life. Check out more cute pictures of Logan on Instagram: mangusbrandi

David, 12, was diagnosed with Schaaf-Yang Syndrome at the age of five. He was the third person identified with this condition and the only person with two disruptions of the Magel 2 gene on chromosome 15. David is patient #3 in the research paper published by Dr. Christian Schaar from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. David is a happy boy despite his challenges. He has been getting occupational, physical, and speech therapy since birth. David’s milestones were delayed due to global low muscle tone. He didn’t start walking until the age of three. David also has low-functioning autism and is nonverbal. He has other issues including short stature, incontinence, he needs a feeding tube, dysphagia, GERD, rumination, and osteopenia. Although David can walk, he requires the use of a wheel chair for any extended activity. David also has behavioral issues such as banging his head, picking his skin, pinching, as well as food, swallowing, and elimination issues, David stayed in the Kennedy Kreiger neural behavioral unit for most of 2019 to work on his behavioral issues. David loves having his picture taken, going to amusement parks, watching Disney movies, and Mickey Clubhouse on his iPad. His Dream is to go to Florida and visit the Florida theme parks in person.

Christopher, from Springfield, IL, is a former 23 week gestational baby who is almost 16 years old now. He has defied all odds of making it this long. Christopher has cystic fibrosis, severe cerebral palsy, scoliosis, broncho pulmonary dysplasia, epilepsy, retinal detachment and cataracts (blind), VP shunt, tracheotomy, g-tube, and requires oxygen 24/7. Don’t let any of this fool you – he is the happiest child you could ever meet. Christopher enjoys scary movies (especially zombies). Batman is his favorite super hero but he enjoys them all. Christopher enjoys using his many switches to activate communication devices, power tools, and many kitchen accessories such as blenders and mixers, and he loves music. We limit blinking lights due to seizures but he enjoys different types of lighting (doctors believe he has light perception) so every season we change strands of lights around his bed and the windows! Christopher has chosen a shopping spree for his Dream. He would like new clothes due to growing as fast as a “normal” teenager, along with wanting new equipment to hook up to his switches (he thinks he needs a power saw; mom is NOT in agreement with that one), and toys of course. Due to Christopher’s many diagnoses, he is very limited on leaving the house and getting experiences of the world, but I do my best to bring new and exciting things to his world at home.

Braxton was born with Leopard syndrome and has cardiomyopathy, hypotonia, dystonia, and ADD. Braxton was adopted at 1.5 years of age and has three adopted sisters. He LOVES anything associated with outdoors, especially fishing. He can’t wait to visit the Florida theme parks to meet some of his favorite characters. Braxton loves reading all about his Sunshine Foundation friends from all over the country.