CHICAGO (WLS) — A local boy got the holiday surprise of a lifetime at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry after he learned that he and his family are headed to Disneyland.
It’s a day 7-year-old Alex Nevarez will never forget.
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The grade schooler was moved to tears the moment he learned he and his family would be traveling to the Disneyland resort in California.
Nevarez says he’s a huge Spider-Man fan.
The big reveal happened in a big way Friday morning at the “Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing” exhibition at MSI.
That’s when Spidey himself recorded a personal message.
It was quite the invite for Nevarez, who is living with spina bifida.
“This journey hasn’t been easy. It’s been very difficult, a lot of appointments, a lot of therapies, a lot of surgeries. And this just gets us away from a little bit of everything that we go through on a day-to-day,” mother Vanessa Nevarez said.
Alex Nevarez’s family was in on the surprise trip.
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“We’ve come so far. I’m so proud,” father Victor Nevarez said.
The surprise of a lifetime came about after producers of the Disney Holiday Special learned about how Nevarez’s mother successfully advocated for an all-access playground in the family’s town of north suburban Mundelein.
For over 40 years, the TV show has highlighted people making a difference in their communities.
“I was amazed by the parents and Alex doing all that they can for him,” said Stephanie Ridenour, a Disney Holiday Special senior producer.
Despite his physical challenges, Nevarez is a very active 7-year old who loves playing both wheelchair sports and spending time with his cousins, their dad and his grandmother who are all going on the trip, too.
“He’s my hero. He’s my hero. He showed me a lot; he’s been showing me a lot. Nothing is impossible in his world,” uncle Gabriel Nevarez said.
Two other families will also be highlighted during the show and gifted travel to a Disney-owned property.
Nevarez and his family will travel to the resort in two weeks.
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