Josh’s Xbox dream comes true two days before his passing

THERE was sadness in the Donaghmede community recently following the passing of a popular teenager.  

Josh Dillon, from Foxhill, suffered from Muscular Dystrophy Duchenne, a life-limiting muscle wasting disease. He sadly passed away on September 2, aged just 17. 

Josh’s passion was football and he dreamed of being a top class soccer player like his cousin, Irish international Robbie Brady. He achieved his dream his way, though, by becoming an expert FIFA Xbox player.

When doctors told Josh’s parents that he was deteriorating rapidly his family tried desperately to realise all his dreams in the short time that was left.

Josh’s only dream was to play the new FIFA 19 game, which he had booked for the last six months because it is so sought after but will not be released until the end of September.

Josh’s mum Elaine, family and friends knew they had to do whatever it took to make his dream come true. Using social media contacts and every possible avenue, they finally accepted this was an impossible dream to fulfil with the time they had left.

They were advised to contact Shay Kinsella of the Share a Dream Foundation in Limerick to see if he could wave his magic wand, just as he has done for thousands of seriously ill children in Ireland.

With a window of less than 48 hours to make this dream happen, Shay knew time was running out and he and his team immediately got to work. They spent some 16 hours and a sleepless night on Thursday, August 30, to make Josh’s dream come true.

On Friday, August 31, with the fantastic support of Gary Molloy of EA Sports Galway and permission from EA Sports Vancouver, Josh's dream would come true.

However, it was heartache for all when his medical team decided Josh was not strong enough to travel by car from Dublin to Galway and it seemed the dream was not going to happen. 

But once again the dream maker, with the fantastic support of Ken Dillon and the amazing Sky High Aviation, Josh and his family were airlifted to EA Sports in Galway.

All the team at EA Sports welcomed Josh and his family giving them a tour of the facility before taking Josh to a special room to spend one and a half hours playing the new FIFA 19 with his brother Ryan and EA game testers. 

Later, Josh received a very special video conference call from the two executive producers of FIFA all the way from Vancouver, Canada, where they spent 30 minutes asking questions about the latest FIFA game.

Sadly, Josh passed away on Sunday, September 2, just two days after his final dream came true.

Share a Dream would like to thank all of the many wonderful people who came on board with very short notice to help Shay realise Josh’s dream.  

According to mum Elaine: “It is unbelievable that Share a Dream Limerick and especially Shay Kinsella would reach out to make Josh’s dream come true.

“It’s a wonderful memory that we will cherish forever. We are forever grateful.”

Shay Kinsella, founder of the Share a Dream Foundation, said: “Thank you Josh and your wonderful family for allowing us the great honour and privilege for making this seemingly impossible dream come true for an amazing young man who accepted life as it was with no complaints. 

“Josh, we know you are joining all the wonderful Share a Dream angels who have sadly left this world but with a special dream in their heart. Rest in Peace Josh.”

For more information on the Share a Dream Foundation, visit www.shareadream.ie