John’s Halloween Surprise Boo-sts Happiness at the Hospital
Making his way down the street, 8-year-old John beamed in his sky-blue wheelchair.
His chair goes everywhere with him, helping him explore and play as he lives with juvenile dermatomyositis with universalis calcinosis, a rare autoimmune disorder and chronic rheumatology condition.
Living with serious illness isn’t easy for John and his mom, Martina.
Hospital visits have become routine. They recently had to temporarily relocate to hospital housing to be closer to the hospital for John’s treatments. Long hours in the hospital feel endless. For John, each visit brings anxiety in an unfamiliar place.
“Despite these challenges, we focus on small, achievable milestones, celebrate progress. We lean on a strong medical team and our support network to keep John engaged and hopeful.” - Martina, John’s Mom
Still, hospital visits are tough for John, filled with worries that no 8-year-old should face.
Boo to Missing Out
That was true last Halloween. Like many kids' facing serious illness or hospitalization, John feared missing out on the fun of Halloween.
Would John be able to celebrate like other kids his age?
Or would he just be stuck in the hospital?
Turning Check Ups Into Celebrations
Just before his appointment, John found a surprise waiting on his doorstep — a brand-new Iron Man Halloween costume!
John was gifted the costume through the Starlight Families program, which bridges the gap between a child’s hospital journey and their at-home care.
Starlight, through its collaboration with Disney, delivered exclusive Disney-themed Halloween bundles which included plushies, books, and brand-new Halloween costumes to children’s hospitals and families like John’s nationwide.
John wore his costume to his hospital appointment. Joining in on the tradition, John was no longer missing out, bringing happiness to him and those around him.
"It helped shift the day’s energy from clinical to celebratory, allowing for some lighthearted social connections with peers and caregivers," Martina shared.
“The costume helped John feel celebrated and included. It often sparked smiles from other people in the community who interacted with him.”
- Martina, John's mom
Every Child Deserves a Halloween
Caring community supporters like you are what makes special moments like these possible.
Whether at the hospital or at home, every child deserves to celebrate Halloween with happiness, costumes and fun.
You can help kids living with serious illnesses feel celebrated and included this Halloween.
