A Future Mustang's Journey

Noah Lambright is like any other kid. He loves sports, loves getting outside and having fun, but one thing makes him stand apart from most nine-year-olds. 

Lambright has type 1 diabetes, a chronic illness that the CDC says affects 304,000 Americans under the age of 20.

“In January of 2021, he had just a regular doctor's checkup, and [his mother] asked the doctor to go ahead and do a finger prick to check his blood glucose level. And it was reading high on the meter, which is over 600, and the regular range for a kid that age is around 110,” said Tony Lambright, Noah’s father. “So they sent us down to Children's Mercy, and he was diagnosed that night with type 1 diabetes.”

But this diagnosis Lambright received at just five years old doesn’t stop him from being an active kid.

“We make him be a kid first,” said Tara Lambright, Noah’s mother. “He plays soccer, he's in Boy Scouts, karate and baseball. It's kind of an invisible illness … but he doesn't let it get to him and he just goes out there and has fun.”

The Dream Factory is a nonprofit organization that grants the dreams of critically and chronically ill children. It is the largest children’s wish-granting organization that does not limit its mission to children who have life-threatening illnesses, and it’s been a helpful resource for the Lambright family throughout the time Noah has been diagnosed. 

With the support of the Dream Factory, Lambright’s dream of going to Disney World with his family came true in 2023. 

“Our whole family got to go and it was a wonderful time. Everything was paid for. We didn't have to do anything. They had it all planned for us, and it was a wonderful opportunity for the whole family, especially since we all have to deal with this journey every day. It's a 24-hour job,” Tara Lambright said. 

The Lambrights were so grateful to have their son’s wish granted that they now give back to the community that assisted in fulfilling Lambright’s wish by volunteering with the Dream Factory in St. Joe. 

“They just did a dine and dash at Geno's last week, and we like to help with that,” Tara Lambright said. “We walked in the Apple Blossom parade, did a music bingo and did different auctions. We like to donate everything that we can to give back to them, so they can help other families that have to deal with a chronic health issue.” 

Another way that the Lambrights enjoy giving back is through participating in the Future Mustangs game at Phil Welch. The Mustangs and Dream Factory partnership allows kids to get out and play a baseball game on the field just like the Mustangs do, while sending the proceeds to the Dream Factory to help make another child’s dream come true. 

“This [game] was special because I actually got to play on a for-real field, and I got to actually get a taste of how the baseball realm is,” Lambright said. 

Lambright wants to encourage those just learning to navigate chronic illnesses.

“Keep following your dreams, and nothing will stop you,” Lambright said. 

And his family encourages others to support the mission of the Dream Factory by donating or volunteering to help kids reach their dreams, no matter the challenges they face.

- Morgan Albrecht