Benoit's RV Adventure

As soon as he saw the movie RV, Benoit's dream was born. He knew he wanted to share the fun and adventure of the open road with his family - he just didn't know it could be possible.

Ben's father Dan contacted The Sunshine Foundation after hearing from a co-worker that Sunshine not only fulfills dreams children with life-threatening illnesses, but also for kids like his son, who are living with severe physical disabilities. Ben, 10, lives with Cerebral Palsy, a condition which limits Ben's mobility. This means regular treks to the hospital for three-week sessions of intensive physiotherapy.

Ben was completely overjoyed when he was called out of class one day to find a giant RV waiting for him outside the school, surrounded by a crowd of friends and Sunshine volunteers ready to tell him that his dream was coming true - that he and his family were going on a very special trip together.

In all, Ben, his mom and dad, and sister Marie-Eve travelled over 3,000 kilometres from Trenton to Quebec's Gaspe region with stops in Montreal and Quebec City. Ben was up early and excited every day, ready to hop in the "co-pilot's seat" next to dad and see what the day would hold.

For Ben, his dream meant seeing new possibilities and sharing special time with his family. His mother Nathalie wrote, "Our family life can be challenging... This trip has given our family an opportunity to just enjoy being together and have fun, while Ben, dealing with his own daily struggles, realizes that dreams can come true!"

Update: Almost a year after his Sunshine Dream, Ben was thrilled to be asked to be the face of Winners/HomeSense "Spread a Little Sunshine Campaign" on posters in stores all across Canada.