BETHLEHEM, Pa. — On Wednesday morning, a 10-year-old from Bethlehem and his family are flying out of Philadelphia to Santa Clara to go to the Super Bowl.
The once-in-a-lifetime trip was made possible by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the NFL and Fanatics.
Louis Fitzko is your typical 10-year-old and an avid fan of the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
“He loves anything sports-related,” said mom Krista Fitzko. “Louis has a genetic disorder called spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA. He was born with that and that means that he is a full wheelchair user and it limits some of the strength he has. He’s never stood before or crawled but he uses his wheelchair to get around. Besides the wheelchair, Louis is a very, very typical 10-year-old.”
Louis’ parents, Krista and Eric, applied to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Louis decided he wanted to go to the Super Bowl.
“We actually didn’t think it was possible. We submitted it and they got back to us right away and said sure,” said Eric Fitzko.
A couple of months ago, Louis learned his dream would come true. His parents broke the news on his 10th birthday in the form of a birthday card and Super Bowl LX t-shirt.
“I just thought it was insane,” Louis told us.
Fanatics even sent him a replica Super Bowl ring with his name on it.
“I was, like, speechless,” Louis recalled.
The Fitzkos plan to arrive in California on Wednesday afternoon. Make-A-Wish has a whole itinerary planned for the nearly week-long trip along with other Make-A-Wish recipients from all over the country.
“To have an organization that gives him the opportunity, traveling is hard so to have somebody looking out for us and kind of have things already set up through ADA, we’re just excited to have that chance to do it with him,” Krista Fitzko stated.
While he’ll be decked out in Steelers gear with custom Terrible Towels in tow, Louis told us he’ll be rooting for the New England Patriots.
“They’re going to be the underdog and I like rooting for underdogs,” Louis concluded.