The Tim Tebow Foundation’s W15H Program Makes Another Dream Come True
Hello October 20th, 2011Share This Story
For 16-year-old Garrett Atwood, a Winter Springs High School student, it has been a difficult journey. Once a healthy, athletic football player, set to wear the purple and gold colors of his freshman football team, Atwood suddenly found himself battling a different competitor off the field.
In September 2010, Atwood’s dreams of being a player for the Winter Springs High School Bears were suddenly taken away when he was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness known as Arteriovenous Malformation, a disease that affects the connections of the arteries and veins. Following his diagnosis, Atwood was hospitalized for two and a half months and endured several weeks of rehab just to learn how to walk and talk again.
Through the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Wish 15 (W15H) program, in partnership with Dreams Come True of Jacksonville, Atwood will leave the struggles of his illness behind as he enjoys the opportunity to set foot onto a professional football field with Denver’s starting quarterback Tim Tebow. It is the faith and commitment exemplified by Tebow that brought courage and strength to Atwood during his rehabilitation.
Atwood’s W15H experience will include two fun-filled days of exclusive activities and gifts, starting Saturday with dinner and arcade games courtesy of Dave & Busters. The highlight of the trip will be on Sunday when Atwood will stand alongside Tebow during the pregame warm-ups and enjoy the game from seats reserved especially for him. Following the game he will enjoy dinner provided by Miami’s Hard Rock Café.
While in Miami, Atwood will stay at the Hard Rock Hotel and enjoy wonderful views of the city. He will return to Winter Springs with exclusive W15H travel luggage, Tebow’s book, Through My Eyes, a Nike duffle bag, Jockey gift card and so much more.
This will not be the first time Atwood and Tebow met. In March 2011, Dreams Come True sent Atwood to Orlando to meet Tebow at Disney World and Disney’s Hollywood Studios for ESPN The Weekend. The two of them played catch, enjoyed some rides and attractions, and played arcade and trivia games together. Tebow’s hands, most known for taking snaps and making touchdown passes, clutched Atwood’s wheelchair throughout the weekend, as he insisted on being the only one to push him around the parks.
Atwood has never forgotten those days and is excited to once again create wonderful memories with his hero.
