RIVERTON (ABC 4 News) - 18-year-old Sean Johnson is one of the biggest Real Salt Lake fans you'll find. He has spinal muscular atrophy and wasn't expected to live past the age of two. Since then he's needed a wheelchair but he continues to beat all the odds. Recently, RSL stepped in and helped turn Sean's wheelchair into something special.
This all popped up about a month ago. Sean needed some new wheels but he wasn't liking the colors he had to choose from.
"There was lime green, burgundy wine...all these ugly colors," Johnson said with a smile. "I was like...this is a cool chair, why aren't there cool colors."
So Sean decided to write a letter to RSL, asking for sponsorship for his new wheelchair. Real Salt Lake's response....sure thing. From there Sean stopped off at Maaco in Sandy where he and his family worked with Stephen Royle to come up with an RSL paint scheme for his chair.
"People love to decorate their cars and his wheelchair is his car so we can make it something special," said Royle, shop manager at Maaco.
And the minute Sean laid eyes on his new ride, he was hooked.
"I was in shock," Johnson said. "It was awesome."
Speaking of awesome, two years ago Sean's parents came to him and said for your 16th birthday we can take a trip to Hawaii or you can have season tickets to RSL. What do you think he went with?
"Season tickets...I could have them my whole life," said Johnson.
Sean doesn't want you feeling sorry for him because he's happy with his life. And RSL has become the cherry on top.
"If I had a wish, I don't think I'd change a thing," said Johnson. "I might change the health aspect, but anything else I don't think I'd change."
Sean still hopes to take that vacation to Hawaii one day. Just don't expect him to take it during Real Salt Lake's season.
