Former Sunshine Foundation Recipient Helps Make Child’s Dream Come True
Former Sunshine Foundation Recipient Helps Make Child’s Dream Come True
Bellevue, NE – May 8, 2026 — Former Sunshine Foundation dream recipient Josh Goblowsky surprised a local child with their “Dream Come True” on Tuesday, May 5, at American Academies of Martial Arts in Bellevue.
Theodore, 11, of Omaha, who has chromosome 22q11.2 duplication, dreams of visiting the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks to meet the Minions. Sunshine Foundation President Kate Sample joined Josh and Mark Goblowsky in welcoming Theodore and his family during the special presentation, which was hosted by American Academies of Martial Arts, 2406 Cornhusker Road.
“What truly brings Theodore joy is being surrounded by family and immersing himself in the activities he loves — exploring new places, Star Wars, riding horses, spending time with his dog, and swimming,” Theodore’s mother said. “His diagnoses affect his daily life by limiting interactions with peers and making it difficult for him to interpret social cues such as tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions. A dream getaway will give him the opportunity to reconnect and bond with his family in meaningful and memorable ways.”
Josh Goblowsky received his own Magical Dream family trip to Disney World through the Sunshine Foundation in 2010.
At just 3 years old, Josh’s life changed forever when he was involved in a devastating hit-and-run crash involving two semi-trucks. The accident left him with a severe traumatic brain injury. He fell into a coma and spent the next 12 weeks in rehabilitation, beginning a long and difficult recovery journey that continued throughout his childhood.
Despite extensive therapy and strong family support, Josh continued to face challenges related to his injury. When he was 9 years old, his family learned about the Sunshine Foundation. Through the generosity of donors, Josh’s dream of visiting Disney World became a reality, giving his family joy, hope, and lasting memories during an incredibly difficult time.
In the years that followed, Josh recovered far beyond what doctors initially expected. In his early 20s, he turned his experiences into inspiration by writing and publishing two children’s books based on his journey. Josh’s World was published in January 2022, followed by Josh’s Friends later that year.
Josh never forgot the impact the Sunshine Foundation had on his life and family. Wanting to give back, he donated proceeds from both books to the organization, helping make dreams come true for other children facing serious medical challenges.
Through those donations, Josh first helped Vincent, a child living with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, enjoy a Magical Dream family vacation to Florida theme parks and beaches. He later sponsored Kylie, who has Takayasu’s Arteritis, helping provide her with a shopping spree for items related to her care and personal enjoyment.
Josh’s story of gratitude and generosity continued this week as he sponsored Theodore’s dream through his ongoing partnership with the Sunshine Foundation — proving that the impact of kindness can truly come full circle.
