We Share Our Favorite Moments With Bert's Big Adventure Kid Gunner

Summary

The Bert Show: "We Share Our Favorite Moments With Bert's Big Adventure Kid Gunner"

Date: February 23, 2026

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Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode of The Bert Show centers around Gunner, a remarkable participant of Bert’s Big Adventure—a program dedicated to providing children with chronic and terminal illnesses a magical, all-expenses-paid trip to Disney. The hosts (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and crew) reminisce with Gunner and his family, spotlighting his adventures, the importance of fostering independence in children with disabilities, and the tight-knit community forged during the trip. Through stories, laughs, and emotional reflections, the episode highlights family, resilience, and the power of inclusion.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction: Too Many Souvenirs, Not Enough Money

• [01:31] The crew jokes about souvenir overload from the trip, admitting how they spent all their money but made the kids happy.
• Memorable line:

  "Kristen got carried away again this year and bought an overabundance of souvenirs for each and every one of these kids. It's great news for the kids. It's bad news for us because now we got no money left."
  — Interviewer/Host [01:31]

Gunner’s Independence and Defying Assumptions

• [02:25] Introduction to Gunner and his family (parents Nicole and Gary, brother Gavin).
• [02:33-03:22] The hosts stress not to underestimate kids with disabilities, sharing stories of Gunner and peers like Forrest and Sebastian thriving in activities like snowmobiling and swimming.
• Notable Quote:

  "If you look at somebody in a wheelchair, do not think automatically that they're going to need your help, because this kid and Forrest... no need your help."
  — Interviewer/Host [03:10]

Parenting: Letting Kids Lead

• [03:22] Co-host asks Nicole about balancing support with allowing independence.

• Nicole shares:

  "It's definitely taken some time because I want to be there and be his support person and keep him safe. But I also know that he has to learn how to navigate life on his own... if I'm comfortable and he looks great, we let him do his thing."
  — Nicole, Gunner’s mom [03:38]

• Gary reflects the same sentiment, discussing the importance of stepping back when possible.

Pool Parties and Core Memories

• [04:26-04:49] Anecdotes about pool time being the most loved part of Disney trips, leading to jokes about just taking future trips to the YMCA.
• Notable interaction:

  "We're not going to Disney anymore. We're going to the YMCA."
  — Interviewer/Host [04:43]
  "You guys get away with just throwing a big pool party."
  — Gary [04:45]

3G Lawn and Landscape: Family Business and Future

• [05:01] The show spotlights Gunner's role in the family-run lawn care business, "3G Lawn and Landscape," set up by his dad for the boys' futures.

• Gary proudly explains Gunner handles a zero-turn mower for hours and that the business will be passed on to him.

• Notable segment:

  "He takes a 60-inch zero-turn mower and just takes advantage of it and just goes nuts with it. And he loves it."
  — Gary [06:08]

• The meaning of "3G": Gunner, Gavin, and Gary [06:44].

Firsts and Friendships

• [06:54] Michelle (a member of the trip’s support team) and Nicole highlight Gunner’s many “firsts” during the trip: first roller coaster, first time down a big pool slide, and more.

• Discussion about friendships with Forrest and Sebastian, dubbed the “Wheelie Gang” or "Three Amigos."

• The hosts reflect on how the kids’ energy set the tone for the entire trip.

• Notable moment:

  "You, Forrest, and Sebastian, you kind of formed like this three amigos... the whole trip sort of like built and your energy together was contagious for the rest of the trip."
  — Interviewer/Host [07:28]

Celebrating Gunner: Favorite Moments and Reflections

• [08:13] Friendly debate about who won the wheelchair race—with Gunner proudly claiming victory.
• [08:13-08:33] Gunner names his favorite parts as “swimming and the rides.”
• Plans for a future pool party reunion are made.

Parent’s Letter to Gunner – Emotional Highlight

• [08:42] Nicole reads a moving letter to Gunner, celebrating his strength, joy, and meaningful impact on everyone around him.

• The letter outlines the family’s journey from diagnosis to celebrating Gunner’s many achievements and the joy of the Disney trip.

  "Before you were born and when we found out about your skeletal dysplasia diagnosis, the doctors told your dad and I that we would have lots of work ahead of us ... but I'm so glad that we didn't get a typical baby, because you've taken us on the most magical adventure of life with your uniqueness."
  — Nicole’s letter [08:42-10:50]

• The hosts follow up with praise and appreciation for Gunner and his family.

• Notable exchange:

  "You light up every room with your smile and can turn any bad day around by just being you. The world is such a brighter place with you in it."
  — Nicole’s letter [08:42]

  "What an awesome kid. What an awesome family. We love you, man."
  — Interviewer/Host [11:00]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "Do not underestimate kids that are in wheelchairs... they will kick your butt." — Interviewer/Host [02:33]
• "Keep being you and changing the world with your loving kindness each day. Dad and I love you. Rock on, dude." — Nicole (reading letter) [10:48]
• "He was flipping around like a dolphin... He handles his business." — Interviewer/Host [02:55]
• "Was it seeing some of the other kids, did they hype you up and make you feel like, oh, if Forrest can do it, I can do it too?" — Co-host/Interviewer [07:18]
• "You, Forrest, and Sebastian, you kind of formed like this three amigos... the whole trip sort of built and your energy together was contagious for the rest of the trip." — Interviewer/Host [07:28]

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:31 — Opening jokes about souvenirs and kicking off the segment
• 02:25 — Introduction to Gunner & family
• 02:33 — Discussion on challenging assumptions about kids with disabilities
• 03:22 — Parenting perspectives on independence
• 04:26-04:49 — Pool party memories
• 05:01-06:40 — 3G Lawn and Landscape story
• 06:54 — Gunner’s firsts and friendships
• 08:42-10:50 — Nicole's emotional letter to Gunner
• 11:00 — Episode close and host appreciation

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Tone

The tone throughout is uplifting, warm, gently humorous, and deeply appreciative of both the challenges and the joy experienced by Gunner and his family. The hosts blend playful banter with genuine admiration and emotion, making the episode as inspiring as it is entertaining.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode offers an authentic, moving look at childhood resilience, parental love, and the empowering impact of community through Bert’s Big Adventure. Gunner’s independence, the joyful chaos of family memories, and the enduring bonds of friendship shine, leaving listeners both smiling and inspired.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

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[Podcast Host]

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[Interviewer/Host]

Kristen got carried away again this year and bought an overabundance of souvenirs for each and every one of these kids. It's great news for the kids. It's bad news for us because now we got no money left.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Well, you know what's better than one bubble wand? Two bubble wands. You know what's better than one? Glow up light stick.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, can I try?

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yes.

[Parent (Nicole)]

Two.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yes. Do you know what's better than one penny? Two A twenty. All right, we're doing the little give right now, and Zaxby's is going to match your donation. So you can text Bert B E R T to 50155 or you can go to Bert's bigadventure.org and donate there. And you know, while you're at Burt's bigadventure.org why don't you check out the pictures from every single day we were here at Disney? Our photographers do such a fantastic job capturing those magical moments and those beautiful smiles. And if you donated, go check and see where your money went@burt's.bigadventure.org all right,

[Interviewer/Host]

let's introduce you guys again to Gunner and his family. Nicole and Gary and Gavin. Good morning, guys. How are you?

[Parent (Gary)]

Good.

[Interviewer/Host]

Again, Gunner is one of these kids, and we said the same thing about Forest as well, is that do not underestimate kids that are in wheelchairs. Just absolutely don't do it, because if you do, they will kick your butt when they are snowmobiling and he will rob you of your trophy. That's what he does. He's an another one of these kids that when he was in the pool the other day, as somebody that doesn't have a child that has a disability, you get a little bit nerve. Overly protective, right. What this kid didn't need was anybody protecting him. He is flipping around like a dolphin. He's handling his. He handles his business, man. He does not need any help. So when you look at somebody in a wheelchair, do not think automatically that they're going to need your help, because this kid and Forrest and we saw this time and time again. Sebastian, also no need your help.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Nicole, I have a question, like, how do you balance that as. As a mom of.

[Parent (Nicole)]

Of a.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Of a child that has a special need, like, to be able to sit back and let them show their independence and to not be, like, always feeling like you have to intervene.

[Parent (Nicole)]

It's definitely took in. Taken some time because I want to be there and be his support person and keep him safe. But I also know that he has to learn how to navigate life on his own. So it's just like a fine line of, okay, if I'm comfortable and he looks great, we let him do his thing. If not, then I know and his dad knows when we can step in and help him.

[Interviewer/Host]

Gary, you feel the same way?

[Parent (Gary)]

Yes. Yeah, for sure.

[Interviewer/Host]

It's like, I think your natural instinct is to want to help out, but in a case like this, you really can't.

[Michelle]

Right?

[Parent (Gary)]

Right. Yeah, I did. When Forrest was in the pool the other night, you know, I was, like, nervous for him, like, but he's. He's swim man. Like, he gets it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. You were so nervous that you were throwing him 40ft in the air.

[Parent (Nicole)]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Were you just chucking Forrest in the pool?

[Parent (Gary)]

Gunner. Gunner just goes for more and more, you know, like, more, more. But he'll let you know, like, oh, water up my nose. We gotta stop, you know, take a break.

[Interviewer/Host]

He was shot putting him 40ft in the air.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

We had, we had a lot of awesome pool parties at the end of our days, didn't we, Gunner? Yeah.

[Parent (Nicole)]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Because you know, we have the. Of course, we're like, the families can do whatever they want and the parks are great, but some of, some of the core memories end up happening at the hotel pool.

[Interviewer/Host]

Right? We say this each and every year, kids just want to go to the

[Parent (Gary)]

pool, pool, pool, pool, pool.

[Interviewer/Host]

We're not going to Disney anymore. We're going to the ymca.

[Parent (Gary)]

You guys get away with just throwing a big pool party.

[Interviewer/Host]

So, Gunner, I was told by la, who I'm going to have tell everybody else, that you have something lined up that my kid Hollis does not, and that is a job after college.

[Michelle]

That's right.

[Narrator/Reporter]

I was talking with Gary, who is dad extraordinaire, and he was telling me about how he has set up a lawn care business called 3G Lawn Care and that Gunner is his right hand man already, that he can get out there and mow for four hours a 10 acre plot of land. And I thought this was extraordinary. And he said one of the reasons, Gary said one of the reasons that he did this was so that Gunner would have a business that he could pass down to him. And he said, I don't want anyone to ever doubt that he is not capable and able to do something, some hard work. And he already is doing it and he's going to be set no matter what he chooses to do. Movie star, YouTube star, mowing the grass. Gunner's got it all.

[Interviewer/Host]

That's fantastic. That's. I mean, these are the things you have to kind of think way ahead in advance if you're a parent of a child like Gunner also, right?

[Parent (Gary)]

Yes, yes.

[Interviewer/Host]

What was your fear there and why setting it up this early?

[Parent (Gary)]

So he took to it like, you know, I'd put him on the mower with me and he'd just kind of take control. And I'm like, all right, today's your day, you're doing it yourself. And he takes a 60 inch zero turn mower and just takes advantage of it and just goes nuts with it. And he loves it. Like he knows when he's got a stopping point, he'll come over and get me. Like, dad, I need my glasses adjuster, my headphones or something, you know, and he just goes about his way. He takes off and I just, you know, see him in a distance, make sure he's good to go.

[Interviewer/Host]

And at some point or another, this will be his business.

[Parent (Gary)]

That's the plan. Yeah. I want to hand it down to the boys for sure. You know, he's already got something going for him and we're establishing our customers. You know, every year it's been great. It's moved along a little ways, you know, year and year after.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

So what's the name of the business?

[Parent (Gary)]

3G Lawn and Landscape.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

3G Lawn and Landscape.

[Meghna Chakrabarti]

I get it.

[Parent (Gary)]

So it's Gunner, Gavin and Gary.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, 3G family business already.

[Parent (Nicole)]

I love it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Michelle, you are supremely impressed and proud of Gunner.

[Michelle]

100%. So, so many times this week you'd say, this is the first time I'm doing this or this is the first time. So first time on a roller coaster.

[Parent (Nicole)]

Correct.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Michelle]

And it was a slinky dog. The best roller coaster. And I'm Disney. And also, like going down the slide at the pool, like, he was hesitant but really got it together.

[Parent (Gary)]

He did take advantage of the slide.

[Parent (Nicole)]

Sure did.

[Parent (Gary)]

Yeah.

[Michelle]

So, so proud of this kid. It was just all week.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

So I'm wondering, Gunner, was it seeing some of the other kids, did they kind of hype you up and make you feel like, oh, if forest can do it, I can do it too? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michelle]

I love that.

[Interviewer/Host]

You guys, you, Forrest and Sebastian, you kind of formed like this three amigos is what we keep calling you guys. Wheelie gang. The wheelie gang. And I feel like the whole trip sort of like built and your energy together was contagious for the rest of the trip. And I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what made this trip so special. And I think because the three of you guys immediately started hanging with each other, you set the tone for all the other kids and the parents on the trip also, and that's a really big deal. I think you got a couple of friends for life here, don't you think?

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Now, it was a photo finish at the send off party as to who won the wheelchair race. So I'm going to ask you, Gunner, was it you or was it Forest?

[Parent (Nicole)]

Me?

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, of course it was. Of course it was. What was your favorite part of this trip? Probably swimming in the rides. Swimming in the rides. Yeah. Again, why are we coming to Disney? Just a pool. Just go to Lifetime and that's it. Drop them off for a couple hours,

[Parent (Gary)]

big pool party, Let them just hang out.

[Interviewer/Host]

That's it, right? How about we do that?

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah, we do.

[Interviewer/Host]

Reunion.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

We'll see you this summer at our. At our pool party for our reunion. Thanks to the guest sale.

[Parent (Gary)]

And Gunner will be there. Swimming's on and.

[Interviewer/Host]

All right, great. All right, so who wants to read their Burt's big adventure letter?

[Parent (Nicole)]

Okay, I'll read our letter. Okay. It says, dear Gunner, I want to start this letter out by saying how proud your dad and I are of the young man you're growing up to be. You light up every room with your smile and can turn any bad day around by just being you. The world is such a brighter place with you in it. Before you were born and when we found out about your skeletal dysplasia diagnosis, the doctors told your dad and I that we would have lots of work ahead of us because we were going to be a family with an atypical baby with quite a few challenges. This comment has stuck with me like glue all of these years, but I'm so glad that we didn't get a typical baby, because you've taken us on the most magical adventure of life with your uniqueness, and I can't thank you enough for that. Since the first day of your life until now, which has been 3,825 days, you've given all of all. No matter how hard things can be. From surgeries and fractured bones to weekly therapy sessions and tons of lab work, X rays, and breathing treatments, you've conquered each of those things with so much strength, it makes even the toughest superhero look like a wimp compared to you. We, of course, have had lots of people that have helped get you where you are today, which is healthy and thriving. Our wonderful pediatrician, Dr. Mills, Nurse Natalie, all of the staff at Pediatric Care, Akron Children's and Promedica Rehab, as well as our amazing friends and family. But enough about them. I want to keep talking about you. Seeing you enjoy this week at Disney has brought me so much happiness. I almost couldn't even put into words how happy it has made my heart. From sliding. I'm sorry. From riding Slinky Dog, to shopping for all your pins with Dr. Michelle, to zooming around test tracks, splashing in the pool, and making new friends. I'm so glad you were able to experience all the wonders that the world sometimes doesn't allow you to enjoy. I hope this week has been everything you've ever dreamed of and more. Because, Gunner, you deserved every minute of it. And just one last thing. Keep being you and changing the world with your loving kindness each day. Dad and I love you. Rock on, dude.

[Interviewer/Host]

And we love you, too, dude. I just want to let you know that people feel your attitude, and they love you, man. You've got something really special, Gunner. Thank you for bringing it to Burt's Big Adventure.

[Parent (Nicole)]

Okay.

[Interviewer/Host]

What an awesome kid. What an awesome family. We love you, man. All right. Coming up in a couple of seconds here. I learned a little bit about self love from Manny this weekend. When you watch a kid watch hug himself in a mirror, you better step up yourself. Love game.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Are we talking about this prince transformation at the Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique?

[Interviewer/Host]

Man, he immediately he was feeling himself as a prince. I love it immediately. We'll get into it next on Virtual Big Adventure.

[Podcast Host]

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[Co-host/Interviewer]

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[Parent (Nicole)]

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