Jonathan's Wish for an Adaptive Playset
Jonathan was diagnosed with Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia at 6 months. In short, he was born without a cerebellum and not expected to walk or talk, and to live with profound mental, cognitive, and developmental delays.
Jonathan was referred to Make-A-Wish Maine at the age of six and wished for an adaptive playset. While he was away on a firetruck-escorted limo ride around town, a boat-themed playset was installed in his yard. Upon returning home, Jonathan was welcomed by sailors from the US Navy to christen his new boat. Jonathan’s parents shared he played endlessly on his boat and even learned to climb the stairs on his own!
This playset that was equipped for him gave him back the joys of childhood.
It gave me freedom. I had therapy thirteen times a week, so the boat gave me some of my childhood back.
Jonathan
wish kid
“Maneuvering the playset was difficult at first for Jonathan but he was determined to do it on his own. The boat showed him he could accomplish what he set his mind to,” his father Jon explains.
Today, at age 17, Jonathan is a renowned athlete, having traveled and competed across the nation in cross country and track in a custom wheelchair. He’s a record-setting runner who has an eye on the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.
Jonathan attended the 2021Trailblaze Challenge to inspire and motivate our hikers. Welcoming hikers at Aid Station #3, he met them after the most difficult leg of their hike. Not only did he offer words of encouragement, but he would hike a portion of the next leg with the hikers. In 2022, he returned to complete the Trailblaze Challenge himself!
At the celebration breakfast the next morning, every hiker spoke to how valuable his companionship and humor was during the final leg of their hike. He was, as always, an inspiration and we are excited to see where he goes from here!