Gonzalo is a 14-year-old boy with an admirable sense of humor and a positive outlook on life. His entire life, he’s enjoyed spending time outdoors with his family hunting, fishing, and going to the lake. However, at 13 years old, everything for Gonzalo changed when he was in a life-altering car accident. As an independent kid who has always been active outdoors, the accident changed his life completely and resulted in him getting a wish granted by Make-A-Wish Wyoming a year later. Gonzalo’s wish for a QuadStick and computer setup, granted in April 2025, was a total game-changer (no pun intended) for his independence and livelihood.

On a normal day, driving through their hometown of Powell, Wyoming, Gonzalo and his family were in a car accident. Gonzalo’s seatbelt failed, leaving him in a critical state, and he was rushed to Denver Children’s Hospital. Though his mom and sisters were left with a few scratches and bruises, Gonzalo’s life changed in an instant. The accident caused a spinal cord injury that paralyzed him from the shoulders down, requiring a long, hard road of recovery. It also caused a respiratory condition that qualified him for a wish.

“To have the most independent kid have everything stripped away from him was devastating and brought so many challenges. Though right after the accident, before he was flown to Denver Children’s Hospital, Gonzalo’s first words were asking if his sisters were OK, which speaks volumes to who he is as a person. The first few days in the hospital were extremely hard, but Gonzalo pushed forward each day, taking every action he could to improve and heal, and all with a forward-thinking attitude,” says Gonzalo’s mom, Cindy.

Gonzalo’s wish, granted by Make-A-Wish Wyoming, was for a QuadStick, a device he learned about while at the hospital in Denver. A QuadStick functions as a mouse and a gaming controller, translating actions from a standard controller into voice commands via sip and puff sensors, a joystick, and a lip button. It allows Gonzalo to independently control and operate his gaming consoles and computer entirely hands-free – but that’s not all his wish included.

Make-A-Wish Wyoming ensured Gonzalo’s QuadStick could be used to the fullest and paired it with a full computer setup, 3D printer, and Man Cave makeover. After the accident, Gonzalo and his family had to move into a wheelchair-accessible home, which came with a converted, oversized room to accommodate Gonzalo’s wheelchair and other accessibility needs. The room makeover included newly painted green walls, posters, gaming chairs, and a customized snack cart named “Gonzalo’s Snack Station,” where his younger siblings can often be found snagging a snack.

“After his room makeover, Gonzalo said his room finally feels like home. The best part is that his friends can come over, and they can play games together like a regular group of teenage boys. Altogether, his wish gives him independence, and he can access the world again. It’s been huge, not just for his day-to-day, but for his future capabilities. Yes, the device has been a learning curve, but it’s encouraging, and he gets better every day,” says Cindy.

Over a year later, Gonzalo has made incredible headway in his recovery and keeps a progress over perfection mindset. Along with gaming and using his computer, Gonzalo continues to hunt after his accident and spends time outdoors with his family. He deeply values his friends, family, and group activities like robotics and chess at school. His wish has not only provided new tech devices and a Man Cave, but it has also enabled him to be a teenager again.

“Gonzalo still to this day finds ways to overcome his obstacles. For him to get this incredible wish granted was a huge turning point for him and sparked optimism for the future. For a kid who had everything he knew taken away from him, this wish means everything. It gives him parts of his teenage self back. It’s also helped him mentally and emotionally, and it’s helped him find joy,” says Cindy.

Gonzalo’s future is bright; the QuadStick and computer setup provide independence and opportunity that help him keep pushing forward every day. After getting his wish, Gonzalo is looking forward to using his experience to help other wish kids and people with disabilities, starting in his hometown, ensuring people know about Make-A-Wish Wyoming.

Help other kids like Gonzalo find joy through a wish by donating here.