On Sunday at StocktonCon, Xavier Valero, 12, was surprised with a custom-designed Darth Vader costume to go with his wheelchair.
Xavier was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was five years old. This progressive disease affects 1-in-5,000 males and the average life expectancy is only into the late 20's.
"It's termination," Erica Espino, Xavier's mom, said. "So [let's] give him the best life he can."
That’s why moments like what happened at StocktonCon are so important for Xavier and the people who love him.
"[Xavier] thinks [Darth Vader's] undefeated," Espino said. "And I said 'That's cool, mijo. You are.'"
The process took about two years when Espino applied through the Magic Wheelchair, a non-profit organization that builds costumes for children in wheelchairs for free. Cory Hunt, a fellow Stockton resident and Oakland Police officer, started building the costume in April. They were on a waiting list and Espino never expected to be picked.
Although Xavier can be pretty shy in front of strangers, his mom knows what this means to him.
"I think it was a dream come true for me and him," Espino said. "I can just imagine when he goes home."
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