This year's Great Skate will once again support our friends at The Dream Factory, a local charity that makes dreams come true for kids in our community battling life-threatening illnesses. Last year, we raised nearly $6000 to help bring dreams to life for kids in our community.

These are kids like Eli. Dream Kid Eli is a 15-year-old who loves adventure, video games, and his pet cat named Kitten. In school, he is especially enjoying his ‘drafting’ class – he’s hoping to become an architect.

What makes Eli unique, however, is a rare genetic disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. His connective tissue – his skin, joints, and the walls of his blood vessels – aren’t as strong as other people’s. Eli is often described as ‘extra bendy’ and is prone to dislocating joints. It isn’t uncommon for him to dislocate an ankle in gym class.

This disorder also comes with common fatigue and pain. Eli has a nap after school most days and requires more rest than other kids his age. What’s more is that Eli must be very careful when planning for his future. An intelligent and realistic young man, Eli knows his disease will prevent him from pursuing certain careers.

But none of this has stopped Eli from dreaming BIG! Adventurous Eli’s Dream is to visit Tarragona, Spain to experience the thrill-seeker’s paradise, PortAventura!

“A few years ago, I went to Canada’s Wonderland, which has some really intense roller coasters, and I had a ton of fun,” Eli shared with us. “And then, when I learned that for my Dream I could go anywhere, I decided to find the world’s most intense roller coasters!”

There is no cure for Eli’s condition, but his illness does not dampen his appetite for adventure or make him any less courageous – even when faced with a humongous roller coaster! 

And you can help make Eli's Dream reality by donating to my fundraising efforts!