(Kids Wish Network) Ten-year-old Jonathon, who has cerebral palsy, couldn’t believe it when his one wish to meet the NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson came true.
Jonathon Gets Revved Up with Jimmie Johnson
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NOVEMBER 27, 2007
By Press Release, Kids Wish Network

An extraordinary young boy from Lachine recently experienced a once in a lifetime trip to meet his racing idol, Jimmie Johnson. Ten-year-old Jonathon, who has cerebral palsy, couldn’t believe it when his one wish to meet the NASCAR legend came true. Jonathon’s special trip came courtesy of Kids Wish Network, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
Jonathon was born with cerebral palsy. C.P. is a group of brain disorders that are most often characterized by seizures and spasticity. Jonathon experiences small brain seizures about every four seconds; his condition has left him developmentally delayed. In addition, Jonathon has experienced difficulty with his mobility and has had surgeries on one of his legs and hips.
Not long ago, Jonathon’s grandmother, Penny, was referred to Kids Wish Network by a relative who was called by one of the charity’s professional fundraisers and who then submitted Jonathon’s name to the organization. Before long, a Kids Wish Network representative contacted Penny and sent her an application. Soon, the family received the good news: Jonathon was eligible for a wish. This brave little NASCAR fan knew just what he wanted to do: he wanted to meet his hero, Jimmie Johnson, in person!
Jonathon’s Kids Wish Network wish coordinator, Madeline, quickly began working hard to make his wish come true! In addition to arranging for airline tickets to Charlotte and hotel accommodations there, she also arranged for an exciting tour of all the local race shops and most importantly, scheduled a special meet and greet with Jonathon and Jimmie. Jonathon was in for a truly amazing dream come true.
Soon after arriving in Charlotte, Jonathon and his family checked into the beautiful Omni Charlotte Hotel. Everyone there was thrilled to meet their remarkable little guest. “The hotel was awesome,” raved Penny. In anticipation of his visit, the staff coordinated some generous donations from their local Lowe’s store to make Jonathon feel extra special. Lowe’s donated a welcome banner and toy cars and trucks and the hotel filled Jonathon’s room with SpongeBob SquarePants toys and goodies. The hotel manager even got the kitchen involved; the chef invited Jonathon in to make his very own pizza. It was certainly a perfect way to begin a perfect trip.
The next day, Jonathon enjoyed a tour of area race shops thanks to Race Shop Tours. “He saw everything!” laughed Penny. And then it was early to bed as the next day was the big one!
The Jimmie Johnson Foundation welcomed Jonathon with a delicious pizza party at Hendrick Motorsports. Then came the meet and greet. Penny said Jonathon was absolutely thrilled. “He was ready!” After Jonathon and Jimmie met, Penny said the two bonded quickly. They posed for pictures and chatted easily and then wandered off to check out Jimmie’s car. Jimmie even let Jonathon change a tire on the car. In turn, Jonathon gave Jimmie a Kids Wish Network Guardian Angel coin for good luck which Jimmie put into his glove compartment. “I think it’s working,” laughed Penny. “He’s been doing very well!”
Jonathon returned home from his trip tired, but with some very special memories. Penny said the entire experience meant the world to her brave grandson. “I don’t think he’s come off of cloud nine yet!” She said she was also incredibly grateful to Madeline and Kids Wish Network for putting it all together. “Madeline was just awesome! From the get go, everything was great. He finally got a little miracle in his life!”
Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Jonathon’s wish extra special: Alpena Moose Lodge #571, Customs & Classics, Enterprise Rent A Car, Fuel Pizza, Ilume-Mediterranean Bistro, Lowe’s, Omni Charlotte Hotel, Pearl Limousine, Race Shop Tours, Residence Inn Saginaw, Skiba Insurance Services, Inc., Standard Airport Parking, Top O’ Michigan Insurance Agency, Inc., and of course, Mr. Jimmie Johnson!
Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org.