I wish to have a jeep makeover

Jose

19

cancer

Jose's wish to have a jeep makeover

Jose Powers Up His Jeep

When Jose and his family lived in Alaska, his dad bought a 2000 Jeep Wrangler with plans to flip it. Since he was a sophomore in high school, Jose begged his dad to let him keep it and fix it up for himself.

Fast forward a couple years when Jose and his family moved to Florida after his cancer diagnosis. Jose convinced his dad to drive the jeep 4,000 miles to Florida so they wouldn't leave it behind.

Jose underwent chemo treatments to shrink the softball-size tumor in his chest down to the size of a baseball so he could undergo open heart surgery. Then he underwent more chemotherapy to make sure the cancer was gone. The first thing he wanted to see after therapy was his jeep. Because the surgery was in his chest, it was hard to shift; however, within a month, Jose was back to driving her around.

The jeep was Jose’s motivation to get better faster. When you are down, you need a motive to get up. You need a purpose. That jeep, and working on her, is Jose’s motivation.
Jose's father
Jose's wish to have a jeep makeover

When it came time to get a wish Jose knew he wanted his prize possession to get a makeover. He had been working in a retail store and putting every dollar of every paycheck to buying parts for his jeep.

Jose’s dad said, “When the garage opened [to reveal the jeep after the makeover], I was so excited – it was almost like I couldn’t find words. I stood in the back because I wanted to take in that moment when no one is talking to you.”

Kept in the dark about the progress of the makeover, Jose could hardly recognize his “Jeepy” at the reveal. The transformation included a new paint job, removeable hard top, underglow lighting and underbody rock lights, rhino lining, powder coated bumpers, and a fantastic sound system.

That’s my baby – I love her! She looks super shiny like she came from the factory. I want to take her far along in my life and pass her down. This is an amazing experience!
Jose
Jose's wish to have a jeep makeover

Since the makeover, Jose is loving his pumped up ride. He even managed to take over the coveted spot in the family’s garage, kicking his dad’s truck into the driveway. This wish has brought such joy to a family whose lives were turned upside down by cancer. Now, Jose is ready to take life in the fast lane.

His sister said, “He’s been dreaming about this since the first day he got the jeep. It makes me feel happy that he got his dream. That even though he’s had some hard times, that he got through it. For all his hard work, it’s like a gift. “

Watch Jose's wish come true here!

Wish Granters: Jaime Anzalotta & Yvonne Ortiz
Referred by Rolando Tabares, his social worker
Wish adopted by the Law Offices of Gonzalez & Associates