Feature Family of the Year:Jess& The Gibsons

"You have a fighter there."

That is what a nurse whispered to Shannon Gibson twenty-five years ago. Looking at her son, Jess—born at just 29 weeks, weighing less than three pounds, and covered in wires in the NICU—Shannon knew the doctors were wrong. They had given Jess a 3% chance to survive.

But Jess didn’t just survive; he radiated. Today, he has a dry sense of humor, a passion for pyrotechnics, and a smile that lights up the room. However, for the Gibson family, life with Cerebral Palsy means the days are often heavier than the fireworks Jess loves so much.

When the World Shrinks

Navigating life requires 24/7 care. For Shannon and her husband Brian, the routine is relentless: feeding, lifting, and waking up every few hours during the night to reposition Jess.

"Some days, it’s just heavy," Shannon admits. "There are days my husband and I don't have time for each other because we put all our time into the care."

As Jess aged out of the school system, the challenges compounded. Inclusion faded. Friends moved on. The world began to shrink.

Opening the World Back Up

Then, they found Camp High Hopes.

At Camp, the wheelchair fades into the background. Jess isn't defined by what he needs; he is defined by the joy he brings. He flies on the giant swing, belts out karaoke, and hangs with counselors he calls "my bros."

"They are kind of my brother and sister," Jess says. "They are just all my friends."

For one glorious week, Jess is never left behind. And for Shannon and Brian? They receive the rarest gift of all: rest.

A Little Piece of Heaven

While Jess is having the time of his life, his parents finally have a moment to breathe.

"I can actually fall asleep and close both eyes," Shannon says. "It’s a little piece of heaven right here in Sioux City."

Because of our community of supporters, Jess has a place to shine, and his parents have the support they need to keep going. The Gibsons are a testament to the power of resilience, love, and the magic that happens when a family finally finds a place where they belong.

Congratulations to the Gibsons, our Feature Camper Family of the Year!