Welcome to Beachview Dreams Foundation...
where the beginning of the boardwalk is the start of Dream Vacations!
Introducing our Summer 2025 DREAMERS
Lily
Lily, our 13 year old daughter, is intelligent, funny and kind. She loves art, music and nature. Lily spends most of her free time reading, drawing and being outside.
After some dizziness and trouble swallowing in December 2024, an MRI showed that Lily has a rare form of terminal brain cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, DIPG. This was a shock to as she has always been very energetic and healthy.
Lily started radiation therapy immediately but rapidly lost all ability to walk, eat, and even talk in less than a month after receiving the diagnosis. After an experimental triple dose radiation therapy she slowly regained the ability to communicate and has been able making slow but steady progress over the last few months.
Lily has been incredibly brave and continues to work hard to regain control of her movements and other functions. After celebrating her 13th birthday in February, Lily regained the ability to eat on her own and likes to spend time enjoying a lot of delicious food throughout her day. She continues to improve in ways that the medical professionals did not think was possible.
Lily is an incredible young woman. She is handling her situation with a lot of grace and strength, we were very happy to be able to bring Lily back home in February after almost 2 months of challenging hospital stays. She has enjoyed the last few months of being at home and having the ability to spend time with friends and family. She especially likes going to the park, movie theater and out for ice cream!
Lily and her seven-year-old brother, Luca, love seeing the ocean and spending time on the boardwalk and are so excited for the upcoming trip.
Hitzeel
I'm 37 years old and currently the mother of two beautiful little girls, a 3-year-old daughter and a 4-month-old daughter. On December 21st, the day I turned 36 weeks into my second pregnancy, I received the news that I had breast cancer with metastases to the bones and liver. Because the metastases were progressing very quickly, my delivery was delayed, and my little girl was due on December 24th, three days after the diagnosis. Being alone in this country was difficult because with my daughter still 2 years old and me hospitalized, my husband had to be there for both of us. They were exhausting nights for both of us. During the treatments, my husband accompanied me and took advantage of the opportunity to sleep a little in the chair next to me. The news was a huge impact on me since it was a much-wanted pregnancy and I was excited to have a healthy pregnancy and be able to care for and breastfeed my baby. Due to the shock of the news, I began to have anxiety attacks, which made treatment sessions and tests difficult. What I longed for most was a break for me and my family from this overwhelming situation. Thanks to our specialized nurse who told us about and applied for this vacation opportunity, because she empathized with our case, I will be able to enjoy a few days with my daughters and take my baby to the beach, be present for her first time at the beach and see my oldest daughter, who enjoys it very much, and spend time with my husband again at one of my favorite destinations, the beach.
Keanna
Jade
This is our three-year-old daughter Jade. Jade was born with an extremely rare blood clotting disorder called Protein C Deficiency. This disorder led to complications at birth such as blindness, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy.
Jade has such a joy for life. She loves being around people and especially her cousins. She loves the sound of animals, listening to music, and the roller coaster feel of cobblestone when we go for walks in her stroller.
Wether it’s her laugh, her cute smirk, or her kicking in excitement, she knows how to bring light and joy to those around her. We are so proud of her and all that she has overcome in the past three years. We can’t wait to see her enjoy the ocean breeze and all the sounds of OCNJ!
Zoey
Here is my daughter, Zoey. She goes through a lot in life. She has to have monthly infusions at Children’s Hospital of IVIG.. Plus video EEGs at children’s up to five days due to seizures. She has four brain, tumors and ADHD, autism. Anxiety and sensory processing disorder.
We are in and out of the hospital quite a bit. She also has been in quite a bit of pain lately with her legs and headaches pretty much daily. I love making memories with her so to be able to sit at the ocean with family will be wonderful for her to take a break away from hospital walls. She is an artist and she can draw anything. She’s very smart and talented. She’s a beautiful soul inside and out.
Ellie
Ellie and her twin sister were born premature at 29 weeks and 1 day. Ellie weighed just 1 lb 8 oz. Shortly after her birth Ellie was diagnosed with Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). When Ellie was 2, she was diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. Ellie may only be 12 years old, but she has endured multiple surgeries: two on her eyes, muscle lengthening on both legs, baclophen pump, and hip surgeries. Next year she will undergo a spinal fusion to correct her scoliosis.
Ellie attends public school and is in 6th grade. Ellie is an incredibly hard worker and it shows! In addition to school, Ellie receives Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapy. Once a week she travels to Nemours Children’s Hospital for outpatient Occupational and Physical therapy.
In August 2019 Ellie was matched with her beloved service dog, Faryn. When Ellie was 6 years old she received her first power wheelchair giving her a newfound independence. Ellie loves Wicked and playing video games. She has an infectious laugh that makes everyone around her happy. We are so proud of her!
Ellie is looking forward to spending time in Ocean City with her best friend during her Beachview Dreams vacation.
Keanna is 26 years old, and has Cerebral Palsy. She is wheelchair bound & unable to walk or sit up on own but sure knows how to talk! She has had several surgeries - some that got complicated and life-threatening but through it all, her loving personality and contagious smile still remained.
She lives at home with her Mom and Dad, 2 dogs, 1 cat and 2 Guinea Pigs. Keanna loves to sing, play games, watch movies, and play on her phone She is excited as we all are to get this opportunity to have a beach vacation. We Can't Wait!! Thanks again!
Tristan
Tristan is 9 years old and probably the goofiest kid you will ever meet. He has a radiant smile and the
most infectious laugh. At the age of 1.5 he received his first diagnosis of a global developmental delay
and then at 3 he received a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Along with his ASD, he has
ADHD, and anxiety. Our life may look a bit different than most but Tristan has never let his diagnoses
get him down. He spends every day loving life and laughing. We always joke that he is the loudest
“non-verbal” child we know!
Tristan is a fish and spends the majority of his summer swimming. He hasn’t been to the ocean or on a
true vacation since he was 2 years old so are so very grateful for this amazing gift and experience!
Lliam
Lliam is our bubbly 3yo who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder Level 3, and sensory processing disorder. While it has been a challenge, we make the best of each day. Before Lliam started
Showing signs we had no knowledge on Autism other than the basics so throughout the past 2 years I have dedicated so much time and effort in research and finding out the “why’s”. We love each day to the fullest with his spunky, yet determined attitude. He has accomplished so many things over the years we thought he’d never experience, such as asking for help for the first time and singing every nursery rhyme you can think of. Lliam loves safari animals, and animals in general (specifically Elephants and cats) Lliam loves the water, and being outdoors and doing all the things kids his age are doing despite his lack of communication and occasional meltdowns. This opportunity means so much to us, as we have been unable to take a proper vacation due to doctors appointments, financial difficulties and Lliam’s therapy. Thank you Beachview for giving Lliam and our family this opportunity to make memories and have fun!
Austin
Austin is 31 and has Cerebral Palsy, visually impaired, seizure disorder, feeding tube, and requires 24/7 care , His seizures are mostly daily and is on a few seizure medicines , Also Gi issues recently , He truly lives his life to the fullest and gives it his all , He enjoys his family and friends hanging out with him , Loves really and interaction he’s giving , Music is a favorite of any kind , He is somewhat verbal so at times you will hear him singing , He loves summer the most and being outside , He’s a simple man with an amazing spirit , His smile will light up a room and his laugh is contagious , He loves traveling when we can do it , Amusement parks, the beach, boardwalk carnivals , etc, We are so excited to be granted to be heading back to Beachview Dreams as an alumni this year , We are all so appreciative that we get this chance to visit again and this organization and family gives us this opportunity for Austin to enjoy. Thank you!