PORT ANGELES — Nearly blind, 4-year-old David Barry could not clearly see everyone who came to his party Saturday evening.
But the smile on his face showed that their love and admiration did not go unnoticed.
The party was held by the Make-A-Wish Foundation and friends of his parents, Tami and Dwight Barry, to celebrate the hot tub donated by the foundation that will help David do what he loves most: play in the water.
Tami Barry said the gift was “absolutely wonderful.”
“He loves the water; he loves to swim,” she said. “But we have difficulty finding warm-enough places.”
Tami Barry said David has “catastrophic epilepsy,” a condition that has left him nearly blind and partially deaf and disabled.
But in the water, he is free to splash and enjoy the music that comes out of the spa’s speakers.
“It brings tears to your eyes,” commented Barbara Carlson, a Make-A-Wish volunteer from Port Angeles, while watching David in the spa in his dad’s arms.
“Look at him. He’s so relaxed,” she said.
Dwight Barry said the Make-A-Wish Foundation purchased the spa at a discount rate from Marquis Spas.
Tami Barry said America’s Finest of Sequim installed the hot tub Friday; the Spa Shop of Port Angeles provided water toys.
Angeles Electric installed the electrical connections for free.
Port Angeles city staff members donated the funds for the permit.
Catastrophic epilepsy is characterized by severe muscle spasms, persistent seizures and developmental delay.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
