Photo: Jason Kempin / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
Nova Scotia 18-year-old Zachary McIlveen had his wish come true through Make-A-Wish Canada with a trip to see his favorite artist, Jelly Roll. Living with a heart condition, cerebral palsy, and an intellectual disability, Zachary traveled with his family to Ottawa for the concert. His mother, Lisa Romano, says they were grateful just to attend the show.
On the morning of the concert, a surprise encounter at breakfast set something special in motion. Jelly Roll’s bus driver overheard the family talking and took steps to arrange backstage passes. That afternoon, the teen and his family were invited behind the scenes, where they met singer Josh Ross and Jelly Roll himself. “You’re strong, buddy,” he told Zachary as he hugged him during the emotional meetup.
The surprises didn’t end there. During the concert, Jelly Roll gave Zachary several shoutouts and dedicated his favorite song, “Save Me,” to him. The crowd joined in, chanting “Zachary!” — a moment Romano describes as unforgettable, saying, “It was a dream come true for each and every one of us.”
Source: CTV NEWS