It was a double special day for Jason Gadd, 16. The Make-A-Wish Foundation sent him supplies for a theme makeover of his bedroom into his favorite film, "Cars," and the Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department gave him a ride aboard a fire truck to his home, accompanying the Alaska Marine Lines van carrying the "Cars" supplies.
The community came together last week to help make a wish come true for Jason Gadd, 16, with a parade in his honor and a bedroom makeover thanks to community volunteers and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"I don't even have words to describe how thankful I am to everybody who came out to help," Dacee Gustafson, Jason's mother, said. "He's shown emotions and things we haven't seen in years that day."
Jason has Dravet Syndrome, Gustafson said, which causes unpredictable seizures. This has limited him compared to other kids his age, and can be quite dangerous. She put in an application with the Make-A-Wish Foundation last year, she said, and received approval for Jason's wish about six months after.
Originally, Jason wanted to go to Disneyland to see some of his favorite movie characters: Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen among them. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gustafson said they had to change their plans.
Instead, the Make-A-Wish Foundation sent them supplies for a Disney "Cars"-themed makeover of Jason's room.
On top of the makeover, the Wrangell Fire Department and Alaska Marine Lines decided to make the day even more special for Jason. On July 6, with AML decorating some of its vehicles to look like characters from "Cars," and the fire department offering Jason a ride home in one of their trucks, the supplies for the makeover got delivered to his house.
Along the route from AML to Jason's home, people turned out with signs and cheers on the sidewalks as the parade passed by.
The majority of the makeover was completed that day, Gustafson said, but Jason is helping with a few finishing touches. He is also thrilled about the makeover. "He absolutely loves it," she said.
"He's still rearranging and finishing up the final touches and everything. He barely comes out of it!"
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