Tragedy turned into joy in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, when a new
playground was constructed for kids of all abilities in honor of a little boy who lost his battle to hyperplastic left heart syndrome, the Courier Post reports.
Jake Nastor loved to go to the playground with his family and friends, though his condition, which literally means he was born with only half a heart, wouldn't allow him to actually play, the news outlet reports. He lost this battle during his fourth open-heart surgery at the age of 2 and a half.
Shortly after, his parents, family and friends formed "Build Jake's Place," a nonprofit group that aims to build
playgrounds that allow kids of all abilities to play on.
His parents started the foundation in his honor with money people in the community had given them to put towards his medical bills.
"At first I was a little hesitant," Jake's father, Joey Nastor, told the news outelt. "But after a while I found it to be therapeutic. Now it’s just amazing to see all the people who have helped us get to where we are."
Since its humble beginnings, Build Jake's Place has received a $50,000 grant from CVS Pharmacies and $25,000 from Camden County's Open Space Trust Fund.
The organization works with Landscape Structures, a leader in building playgrounds that include children of all abilities, including those who are handicapped or have other special needs. The playgrounds symbolize what Jake loved and offer others a chance to play.
"It was natural that we would build a playground to honor Jake, and to help other kids," Jake's grandfather, Jim Cummings, told the news outlet. “We’ve talked to so many kids with disabilities who have never played with normal kids. And vice-versa. It’s the only segregation left that’s still acceptable, and it’s not right."