Billy Ojeda's friends make his football wish come true

Menifee 24/7 has previously told the story of Billy Ojeda, a Menifee resident who is terminally ill with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most rapidly progressing form of the muscular degeneration disease. In February 2020 Billy got his wish by visiting Fire Station 76, where he got the grand tour and was given firefighter’s gear.

Billy, now age 12, had another wish recently. He wished he could play football with his friends, who compete on a flag football team called the Trojans. Billy watches from the sidelines in his wheelchair as his friends played ball. But on this special day, coach Mike Stewart and the players had a special treat for Billy.

They helped Billy walk into the field, where he took the ball and headed for the end zone. With support from the opposing Warriors, Billy scored a touchdown. It was something neither Billy nor his father William will ever forget.

“We came back a week ago from another clinical trial visit to Florida,” William Ojeda said. “Billy and I have been on 214 planes in the last seven years, but the efficacy is little and nothing is available to him better than that. We are not giving up and I work hard on myself everyday trying to be that person that will not mourn while my son lives, but anticipatory grief is very real.

“It (the touchdown) was such a beautiful thing for the team to do for Billy and our whole family. Mike [Stewart] had to get approvals from the league and also the other team and referee. Lena Canada and Dave Canada played a major role also in making this happen.

“It was such a beautiful thing for the team to do for Billy and our whole family. Mike had to get approvals from the league and also the other team and referee.”

Menifee 24/7 sends out best wishes to William, Billy and the family as they deal with this disease. Here's a video of the event.