Desert Hot Springs boy gets wish come true

It was a wish come true for a 13-year-old boy in Desert Hot Springs.

Matthew Perrotte has muscular dystrophy. He was chosen as this year’s Community Wish Kid for the Purple Carpet Community Wish Day in Desert Hot Springs on Saturday. Matthew, who relies on his wheelchair, was surprised with a brand new wheelchair donated by the Desert Hot Springs Police Officers Association.

The Perrotte family also enjoyed a special ride in a limousine to the event at the Miracle Springs Resort and Spa and received five tickets to a Miami Dolphins and Chargers game in San Diego in November.

“We’re overwhelmed by the support we received. We really appreciate it,” said Matthew’s father, Mark Perrotte. “He is my hero. He is everything.”

Donations from the event benefit the Make-a-Wish Kids for Kids Youth Volunteer Project.

The youth organizer, Jawanza Martindale, said the family friendly event celebrated a young hero.

“It was important to get the people around a kid who was struggling and help us get over things that are going on in our life, and see something in a different perspective and have a little fun,” said Martindale.