Fourteen-year-old Matthew Glabek from Federal Way was recently granted a dream trip to central Florida by the Sunshine Foundation, which answers the dreams of children living with life-long chronic illnesses, physical challenges, or the trauma of abuse.

Matthew and his family visited Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, and the Walt Disney World Resort.

One of the highlights of the trip for Matthew was seeing Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

“He got very excited and happy,” says Matthew’s parents, Barbara and Mariusz.

While in Florida, the family stayed at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village, a 22-acre resort with themed cottages equipped for the special needs of children like Matthew, who was diagnosed with severe autism.

The Sunshine Foundation is able to provide dream trips through support and donations, allowing families that are already strapped with medical bills and care costs to enjoy a brief respite without the additional financial burden a vacation can cause. It can make a huge difference for the children and their families.

Since 1976, Sunshine Foundation has answered the dreams of more than 37,000 children in the United States, and it remains the nation’s only A-rated charity serving the terminally ill or chronically ill. For information, visit www.sunshinefoundation.org.