NICEVILLE — Nine-year-old Joel Strickland’s Christmas wish this year was for his very first drum set.
The young boy from Niceville has taken an interest in music even as he struggles with a very rare disease called cystinosis, which affects only about 500 people in the United States.
The disease causes a defect in the movement of cells in the body and can lead to damage to organs, including the kidneys, liver, eyes and muscles.
“Music has become such an awesome outlet for him,” said his mother, Dawn Strickland. “No matter what’s going on or what sicknesses are in his way, he always has his love of music.”
BaZing, a checking account security company in Nashville that works with CCB Community Bank in Niceville, asked its customers for their Christmas wishes this year.
Dawn said she was hoping to help her son get a drum set.
BaZing and the bank partnered with UpBeat Music in Crestview to make it happen.
On Sunday, they presented Joel with his first instrument. Dawn said Monday that he’s been playing the drums ever since.
David Cadenhead, of UpBeat Music, said the experience was humbling.
“To be a part of giving something like that to a child, period, is awe-inspiring, but knowing this situation with Joel and the physical challenges he overcomes every day, to see the smile on his face was golden,” he said.
WANT TO HELP?
To learn more about cystinosis or to make a donation to the Cystinosis Research Foundation in Joel Strickland’s name, visit cystin.sslcert14.com/Donate-Online-Help.aspx.