Making Dreams a Reality

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In January, after weeks of discussion with a friend requesting Dare2B assist with raising funds and awareness, I met an amazing 9 year old boy named Jayson who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy. At first, it was hard to grasp Jayson's need since I was only shown pictures of him with some friends where he looked like any other 9 year old boy. Even though, I had been told he suffered from MDA I had only known of extreme cases that impeded children from looking like other children their age.

When I finally met Jayson and his parents I was completely in awe. I had never seen such a truly inspirational family. From the moment we met they were cheerful and friendly. The joy in their expressions was genuine. I met them downstairs from my apartment and observed as they carried Jayson out of their car and helped him stand. Jose, his father held on to Jayson tightly as he helped him walk up the steps. See Jayson can't walk on his own but refuses not to try doing so at all. How inspirational is that?

During our conversation I had learned that until the age of 3 Jayson was perfectly healthy, he was able to stand, run and walk. By the age of 8 he was in a wheelchair. As his parents filled me in on their situation I observed Jayson as he pitched in telling his story. Jayson has accomplished so much. See Jayson may have MDA but he also has one amazing outgoing personality. One that has helped him become one of the faces of MDA. He has been the spokesperson for several events and there is no question as to why.

During our first conversation Jayson mentioned the desire of being a film director when he grows up. I immediately thought about the people I knew in the industry and pondered how I could possibly get this boy on a set. Two days later actor Luis Antonio Ramos and I were on the phone chatting about another matter when he happened to mention being the lead in a new film currently in production. I immediately mentioned Jayson and how I was hoping to reach out to people in the industry to make Jayson's dream of experiencing a film set come true. Luis, without any hesitation, reached out to the director and team of The Miracle of Spanish Harlem. By the evening the movie coordinator, Karen Torres, contacted me directly with arrangements to accomodate Jayson's request. As soon as I got the news I notified Migdalia, Jayson's mom, who was in shock with excitement about the news. Jayson was sleeping and she wanted to wake him right away to share the news but I told her maybe it would be best if we waited until the morning. The next day I received a voice text. It was Migdalia giving Jayson the news and him screaming with excitement about being on a movie set.

No words could ever explain how amazing everyone on the set was. The day Jayson, his family and I arrived filming took place at a church. Karen immediately gave us a warm welcome and escorted us to seating. During filming members of the cast and crew passed by to greet Jayson and the gang. Each explained their role in the production and the impact they had on and off the set. I'm not going to lie, Jayson wasn't the only one that found the trip exciting and educational.

Visit our Dare2B facebook community page to see photos of the absolutely incredible people that helped make Jayson's dream a reality by embracing him and welcoming him on the set. Jayson was so excited and positively overwhelmed by the experience. At the end of the night with a huge smile on his face he said "my face hurts from so much smiling".

Mission Accomplished thanks to all the wonderful people on the set of "Miracle in Spanish Harlem".

Thank you, thank you, thank you for making Jayson's first experience such an amazing one.

Special thanks to:

Karen Torres
Luis Antonio Ramos
Edwin Pagan
Ed Martin
Carlos Bermudez
Derek Velez Partridge
Kate Del Castillo
Adrian Martinez
Tuffy

Lesson Learned
To see such strength in a family built by the genuine love they have for their child is more then inspirational. I never realized how much we need our muscles to get things done. Until meeting Jayson I never put a second thought to the need of our for body movement including speech. MDA continues to weaken the body as the years go by.

I have no idea what it would be like to have your child healthy and strong one day to suddenly discover that things will never be the same. For this reason, I cannot commend Migdalia and Jose enough for their strength. I am honored to have met this amazing family. Migdalia, Jose and Jayson, thank you for being such an inspiration and for staying strong and positive through it all.

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Selfless * Caring * Inspirational