Robert Kraft Makes Disabled Patriots Fan Dreams Come True With Special Gift
Did you watch ESPN on Super Bowl Sunday and the “E:60” segment on Alyssa Silva? And Robert Kraft?
If yes, you probably remember the story about the Patriots fan with spinal muscular atrophy when she was a six-month-old baby. Silva has a special relationship with the New England Patriots, and attended the preseason games as a guest of team owner Robert Kraft.
Before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Silva and her close family members went to Gillette Stadium. ESPN was there, too. Silva thought that they are just there to follow her story. The network was really there to film the follow-up, but they were also there to catch Silva’s reaction when team owner Kraft and Patriots special teamer Matthey Slater surprised the fan and her family. If by any chance you didn’t know it, Matthew Slater is Silva’s favorite player.
What was the surprise? Silva got a new handicapped-accessible van. The van came from Mobility Works in Plainville.
“My family first spotted Kraft’s sneakers and just thought he was there to do a quick interview with ESPN. But, when the door finally opened, next to him was Matthew Slater and a blue van with a red bow. Even at this point, I didn’t think that van belonged to me. But, then Mr. Kraft gave such a sweet speech and ended it by handing over the keys. That was when it hit me,” Silva wrote in her email.
She even posted a video of Kraft giving her the keys of her new van.
“There are no words for this moment. No words to describe the feeling when Robert Kraft hands you the keys to a brand new handicapped accessible van he purchased for you. No words to describe the amount of gratitude in your heart for this man’s kindness, generosity, and friendship over the last several years. No words to describe how truly undeserving it felt to accept such a grand gesture. No words. It hurts knowing that, because of my SMA, there are extra financial burdens placed upon [my parents]. But, thanks to RKK and the @patriots, last night they lifted one of those burdens for us. Last night, they eliminated the fear of driving to the hospital at 4am during an epic snowstorm, wondering if the van would make it. Last night, they orchestrated the biggest, most unimaginable surprise my family and I have ever received,” the caption read.
Robert Kraft did an amazing job. Helping those in need is one of the greatest things you will ever do.