Haley Burke (left) and Tim Tebow (right) spent time together at one of Tebow's training sessions.
Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, who is also well known for his devout Christian faith, made a teenager’s dream come true when he gave her and her family a vacation they never expected.
Haley Burke, 15, was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder that affects the connective tissues. She put in a request through the Tim Tebow Foundation to meet with Tim Tebow, but Tebow provided her and her family with a full package vacation for four days and three nights, including a presidential suite at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, an aerial trip at the Grand Canyon, a day at the spa, and even giving Burke the opportunity to throw the first pitch at the Arizona Diamondbacks game.
Of particular significance was the time that Burke got to spend with Tebow and Tebow’s personal trainer during one of their training sessions, as Burke wants to be an athletic trainer herself. After the training, Tebow joined her and her family for dinner and prayed together.
“They’re amazing,” said Tebow about Burke and her family to People Magazine. “The entire time I was with them, I was so inspired by their strength and courage in facing every day and every struggle with a positive attitude.”
Tebow tweeted a photo to Burke afterwards, saying, “Had an awesome day with my new friend @burkehaley55! You are an amazing and inspirational girl! #W15H.”
Burke and her family, likewise, were encouraged by Tebow and their time together.
“This has encouraged her to keep going and to help other people,” said Burke’s mother. “Tim has made her dreams come true.”
Burke also tweeted a photo to Tebow, with the caption, “Still can’t believe this really happened. Thank you @TimTebow for everything. You’re such a blessing to me. #W15H,” and added in another tweet that it was “amazing and meant the world” to her.
“I’ve never had people take time out of their life like this for me,” Burke said. “He told me that when things get tough, or things get so crazy, only two things matter: loving Jesus and loving people. And it’s true.”
Tebow described in the Tim Tebow Foundation website that his desire for the foundation is to “bring faith, hope, and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need,” and the W15H program is an outreach initiative to “fulfill the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses whose wish is to meet Tim Tebow.” The Tebow Foundation has created over 40 official W15H experiences thus far.
