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A young boy from Chicago experienced a holiday surprise he’ll cherish forever at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry when he found out that he and his family are going to Disneyland.
Seven-year-old Alex Nevarez will always remember this remarkable day.
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The moment Alex learned about the upcoming trip to Disneyland in California, he was overcome with emotion and shed tears of joy.
A devoted Spider-Man enthusiast, Nevarez was especially thrilled by the news.
The exciting announcement took place on Friday morning during the “Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing” exhibition at the museum.
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.
SEE ALSO: Disney characters visit patients at Chicago children’s hospital
“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.
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of this ABC station.
