Teen Gets His Wish for a Spooktacular Universal Adventure
Norristown, Pennsylvania – Daschel felt right at home at The Coffee Closet with Barista Jake, a local shop that holds a special place in his heart. He had been part of their program offering social and vocational opportunities for teens and adults with special needs. What he didn’t know was that something amazing was about to unfold.
Daschel is a huge Halloween fan, so the setting was perfect, decorated with spooky touches that made the moment even more magical. The president and founder of the program turned things over to her son Jake, who runs the coffee shop. He announced that Kids Wish Network was making Daschel’s dream come true: sending him on a Florida adventure to Disney World and Universal Studios!
Daschel gasped in excitement and exclaimed, “We’re going to Universal Studios… my wish came true!” His favorite holiday was about to get even better, with a visit to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights for the very first time.
Kids Wish Network provided a full travel package that included airfare, lodging, and everything needed to make the trip a thrilling family adventure. And the fun isn’t over-Daschel will also be heading to LEGOLAND New York soon, courtesy of Merlin’s Magic Wand. There’s so much joy ahead, and Daschel can’t wait for all the experiences still to come!
When Daschel was born, he faced life-threatening challenges. He had extremely low muscle tone and struggled to breathe when his lungs wouldn’t inflate. That night, his symptoms remained severe—he didn’t cry, move, or show reflexes. Within weeks, he was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects neurological, endocrine, and metabolic systems.
Daschel spent several months in the NICU, and even after discharge, he required oxygen support and a feeding tube. Today, he continues to receive hormone injections and undergoes speech and occupational therapies at school. Despite these challenges, Daschel’s strength and joy shine through, and his wish marks an unforgettable celebration of courage and hope.
Many Thanks
Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Daschel without the help of Universal Studios, Disney, Merlin’s Magic Wand, Coffee Closet with Barista Jake, and the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope.
Universal Resorts Orlando- Guide for Florida Residents | Universal Orlando Resort
FB- Universal Orlando Resort | Orlando FL | Facebook
IG- Universal Orlando Resort (@universalorlando) • Instagram photos and videos
Disney Resorts Orlando- Special Offers, Deals & Discounts | Walt Disney World Resort
FB- Walt Disney World | Facebook
IG- Walt Disney World (@waltdisneyworld) • Instagram photos and videos
Merlin’s Magic Wand
https://www.merlinsmagicwand.org/usa
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MMWUSA
IG: @merlinsmagicwandofficial
X: @MMWAND
Coffee Closet with Barista Jake
FB: https://facebook.com/baristajake
IG: https://instagram.com/baristajake2020
Kids Wish Network has been making dreams come true for children since 1997. We are dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children experiencing life-altering situations. We started with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering from life-threatening conditions, but have since created additional programs to benefit kids nationwide, including Hero of the Month, Project Toy Drop, Holiday of Hope Gift Banks, and A Child Forever Funeral Assistance.