Shaq Surprises Paralyzed Teen With VIP Basketball Dream Trip

Dream On 3, along with Shaq and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, made it happen.

The Henry County (GA) Sheriff’s Office Chief of Community Relations, Shaquille O’Neal, brought joy to Brandon Simmons, who was paralyzed after a car accident, by announcing he was spending several days in Minnesota for a VIP experience.

The sheriff’s office Facebook account posted photographs of O’Neal, along with Sheriff Reginald B. Scandrett and many well-wishers, presenting the teenager with the package that took him to Minneapolis to attend an NBA game featuring the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The trip was arranged by Dream On 3 (a non-profit that makes “sports-themed dreams” come true for those aged 5-21 living with life-altering conditions, including mental health challenges and intellectual disabilities), the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, and O’Neal.

The Timberwolves were chosen since Anthony Edwards is Simmons’ favorite player.

“Today was a special day in Henry County!”

“It was truly special spending time with Brandon and meeting his incredible family, friends, and wonderful people who made this day happen,” the sheriff’s office wrote in its Facebook post. “Seeing the joy on his face as the surprise unfolded was a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the impact of a community that shows up for one another.”

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, O’Neal showed up at Simmons’ home March 4 to surprise him. He was presented with tickets for courtside seats to the Timberwolves/Toronto Raptors basketball game, where he would have exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the arena, as well as a personal meeting with Edwards and a formal VIP welcome from the City of Minneapolis.

Simmons, 18, was paralyzed from the chest down after being involved in a car accident. Initially, doctors only gave him a one percent chance of surviving.

“Speechless. I don’t even know what to say,” Simmons said of Shaq’s surprise visit. “You would never expect something like that, and I’m just very grateful that could be me.”

O’Neal added, “Brandon is the definition of toughness. Life threw something at him that most people would never imagine facing, and he keeps fighting with heart.”