Boca Raton teen's wheelchair wish comes true

Boca Raton’s Jayden Soto had his wish for an all-terrain, electric wheelchair granted recently.

The 17-year-old, who struggles with epilepsy and related health issues, was gifted his wish by the Make-A-Wish Southern Florida chapter. It will help him toward his goal of becoming more independent.

“It’s wonderful and I’m happy, delighted,” said Jayden’s mother, Sylvia Soto. “I can’t tell you how many adjectives…I am so excited. Today is a really big day for Jayden and our family.

“It’s been nerve-wracking in a way because he knew it was coming,” she said. “It has been his wish and he kept asking, ‘Mom, when am I going to get my chair? Mom, when am I going to get my chair?’ And I kept saying it’s coming. It’s coming, and now it is here.”

With his new wheelchair, Jayden will be able to control it on any surface. He had no idea that he would be receiving the life-changing equipment, or that there would be family and friends on hand to celebrate the occasion. The Soto home was decorated with balloons and banners for the big reveal, and Jayden wasted little time demonstrating the abilities of his new chair.

Sylvia Soto said Jayden loves going to the beach and this gives him that opportunity.

“As he has gotten older, it has become much more difficult,” she said. “We’d carry him on our backs and walk him out to the beach. We can’t wait to get him out and let him enjoy some of the outdoor activities that he enjoys because his walker and his other equipment don’t allow him to be out on the terrain, like grass and gravel and things like that.”

Make-A-Wish Southern Florida has granted over 13,000 life-changing wishes since 1983 for children who have critical illnesses. It aims to grant a wish for every medically eligible child in its territory and understands wishes aren’t just nice, they’re necessary for kids and families at some of the most difficult times in their lives.

Visit wish.org/sfla or call 954-967-9474.

Sign up for email newsletters