A Mother’s Belief and a Son’s Strength: Tyler’s Story
Caitlin and her son Tyler’s journey is rooted in love, resilience, and discovery.
The two first met nine years ago when Caitlin was working in an after-school program. That’s where she met a spirited boy in foster care who loved to make people laugh—especially with a well-timed flatulence joke.
When Tyler moved in with Caitlin at age 12, his world was about to change. She officially adopted him in August 2019, but the journey wasn’t without challenges.
In 2020, Tyler was diagnosed with CTNNB1 syndrome, a rare condition often mistaken for cerebral palsy. Because of his condition, Tyler faces complex medical needs. When Tyler first moved in with Caitlin, he struggled with mobility, crawling on his knees and using a wheelchair.
Caitlin’s confidence in his potential led to life-changing leg surgery in 2021, followed by intense rehabilitation and another surgery in 2024.
Hospital stays were no easy feat for Tyler, especially with frequent MRIs and blood draws.
Still, he was able to find strength and comfort during his hardest days. During physical therapy, Starlight programs helped Tyler stay engaged and motivated.
Because he loves arts and crafts, he found much joy when he received LEGO sets and an art kit through the Starlight Toy Delivery Program. “They were a great distraction from the monotony of hospital stays,” Caitlin recalls.
After Tyler’s leg surgery, Caitlin took him to one of his favorite places, Walt Disney World Resort.
He loves riding The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ and telling jokes to Mickey Mouse and Snow White.
During this trip, nine months after Tyler's surgery, something incredible happened.
Tyler walked his longest distance ever, right in front of Mickey!
It felt like the stars aligned when Caitlin and Tyler learned about the Disney Princess 5K presented by CORKCICLE. As Caitlin scrolled through the list of participating charities, she spotted Starlight.
Wanting to give back to Starlight and other families navigating serious illness, they immediately joined Team Starlight, Starlight’s charity runner team.
The plan was for Tyler to alternate between wheeling in his wheelchair and walking in the 5K.
“The generosity from Starlight has impacted us so much that we’ve become within the Starlight family. They have given us so much, and being able to give back to Starlight was really important to us.”
- Caitlin, Tyler's mom
Race day came, and Caitlin and Tyler had the best time. They danced to music, posed for photos with characters and celebrated each distance milestone along the course.
But the best moment of all came at the finish line. Throughout the race, he alternated between his wheelchair and walking. But for the final tenth of a mile, he walked the entire way.
“He was so excited,” Caitlin reminisced. “It choked me up when we were walking in and seeing the pictures after. It was the most spectacular moment and he was so proud of himself. That was really the highlight for us this weekend.”
To other kids and families walking a similar journey, Caitlin offers this encouragement:
“Never give up hope. Starlight has given us so much ... When you’re in the hospital, it’s a lot as a parent, but never give up hope. The kids are so much stronger than you think and they will come through. They are so strong.”
Tyler's incredible strength shined brightly as he crossed the finish line. His story is a testament to how kids can thrive when they are surrounded by community support.
For 25 years, The Walt Disney Company and Starlight Children’s Foundation have collaborated to deliver happiness to seriously ill children and their families. In support of Disney’s commitment to reimagining the patient journey in children’s hospitals, Starlight offers Disney-themed Starlight Hospital Gowns and pants and Disney Toy Deliveries to their network of 800 hospitals to provide a sense of comfort and normalcy to children during their hospital stay.
To learn more, starlight.org/disney.
