Peter's Dream

November 11, 2024

Basketball

Meet Peter

Meet Peter – a funny, kind, and spiritual 13-year-old from Austin, Texas! Peter loves watching basketball, especially University of Texas basketball, and American Ninja Warrior.

Peter lives with Down syndrome and has overcome a related genetic issue of low muscle tone with hard work and determination. Peter’s diagnoses make it hard for him to keep up with his peers in school. Despite these challenges, Peter has worked hard in the areas of speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to become the strong, articulate, and agile teen he is today!

Peter loves sports and competing with friends, but has recently found that he excels in individual sports like swimming, horseback riding, and ninja warrior training!

Peter has worked so hard and to overcome the obstacles he has faced. He participates in local Special Olympics basketball, tennis, track, and bocce and has won a great number of medals! He also loves to complete hundreds of pull ups each day.

Because of his deep love of the Longhorns, Peter’s dream is to be a University of Texas Austin Men’s Basketball VIP and the UT CDT can’t wait to make his Dream a reality!

Peter's Dream

The first day of of Peter’s Dream was a memorable and heartwarming experience. After checking into the hotel, the group prepared a welcome for Peter by decorating his room with gifts and gluten-free snacks. They then gathered at the Murray’s home, where family, friends, and the Collegiate Dream Team had decorated the yard and a number of surprises, including a personalized UT basketball jersey! Peter arrived at his home with immense excitement, sprinting across the yard, hugging his pastor, family, and friends. The evening included limo rides, dinner at Cabo Bob’s, and bowling at the student union.

Day two of Peter’s Dream was packed with unforgettable experiences, starting with a tour of the University of Texas football stadium, where Peter explored the team facilities, wellness areas, and the locker room. He tried out the weight room and took his turn running onto the field. After our tour, the crew went shopping at the UT Co-op store and enjoyed lunch at Dirty Martin’s, After, lunch Peter’s Dream continued with a visit to the Moody Basketball Arena! Peter had an amazing time meeting players, shooting hoops, and connecting with the head coach, Rodney Terry. The day concluded with swimming at the hotel followed by hanging in VIP seats for the UT vs. Chicago State Men’s Basketball game. Not only did the Longhorns take home the W, Peter was put on the Jumbotron!

On day three, Peter’s Dream concluded with a team breakfast where everyone gathered to share their favorite moments from their time together, as well as express their love and gratitude for one another. Peter has a Texas-sized heart and we feel lucky to know him!

Dream Snapshots

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Thank you to our National Collegiate Dream Team Sponsor, Volvo Construction Equipment