A Sun Safe Best Friend Getaway
Shadow Jumpers surprised XP best friends Alivia and Emma with a joint, sun-safe getaway to Rocking Horse Ranch, giving them the rare chance to experience a true best-friend vacation without fear. From UV-free laser tag and nighttime skiing to quiet moments with horses, every detail was designed so safety never came at the cost of joy.
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The moment Alivia Konefal and Emma Little reunited in the lobby at Rocking Horse Ranch, everything else faded away. “When Emma and Alivia hugged and reunited, their joy and excitement was palpable,” the girls’ parents shared. That long hug wasn’t just a greeting, it was a release.
For two girls living with Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP), a rare condition that makes sunlight extremely dangerous, being together means being understood without explanation. As Emma wrote, “My number one thing to do is to spend time with my BFF Alivia, because we both have the exact skin condition.”
This joint vacation, surprised and supported by Shadow Jumpers, was created so these “photosensitive besties” could experience something most kids take for granted: a best-friend getaway where safety didn’t come at the cost of joy.
Throughout the week, Rocking Horse Ranch in upstate NY became a place where barriers were removed, and possibilities opened. From private laser tag sessions (with the harmful uv black lights turned off) to nighttime skiing lessons and twilight horseback rides, every detail was thoughtfully designed so the girls could participate fully.
“The staff bent over backwards to make our experience UV-free. They helped Emma and Alivia feel special when the world often makes them feel so different.”
Some of the most meaningful moments came in places the girls felt calm and free. Time in the stables brushing horses brought a quiet kind of healing. “There is something healing that horses naturally exude,” Emma’s mother Johanna reflected, “and it was on full display as both Emma and Alivia were drawn to be near them.”
For Alivia, being able to move without her gear during safe nighttime activities was especially powerful. “We were able to be free without face shields and gloves,” Alivia’s mother Dana wrote, “and that was really special.”
As the days unfolded, confidence grew alongside the fun. Alivia took on skiing for the first time, learning to navigate the slopes behind protective gear and masks. “Learning something new, with all her UV gear on, and doing it so successfully gave her a sense of pride that words, photos, and videos simply cannot capture,” Dana explained. “Of course having her best friend there to watch her soar made it even more meaningful.”
Emma followed her lead, trying new protective equipment that allowed her to take part more comfortably in outdoor sports. “It’s very easy to become comfortable with just one protective hat,” Johanna said, “so this was a VERY big deal.”
These moments weren’t just about recreation, they were about growth, courage, and discovering what was possible together.
New Year’s Eve became one of the most cherished memories of the trip. Celebrating without the sun, surrounded by music, glow sticks, dancing, and laughter, the girls rang in the new year side by side. It was everything Alivia and Emma had hoped for while for their parents it was a reminder of how rare and meaningful it is to experience milestones without fear. “The carefree spirits both girls enjoyed in the midst of fun activities were life-giving..”
The goodbye at the end of the week was just as emotional as the reunion. “Their grief and sadness were just as palpable as their joy when we first arrived,” said Johanna. A bond built on shared challenges, empathy, and resilience had only grown stronger. As Dana reflected, “Family provides a deeper strength and source of resiliency that regular friends just can’t.”
Perhaps it was Emma who summed it up easiest:
“We feel like family.”
For the Konefals and the Littles this trip was more than a vacation. It was a rare chance to exhale. “What is often exhausting, like the planning, the preparation and the worry, was replaced with ease, care, and trust,” Dana shared.
As for the girls, it was something even simpler and more profound.
“It’s great to know I have someone who understands what I go through,” wrote Alivia.
Through experiences like this, Shadow Jumpers continues its mission to remove the burden of the sun so photosensitive kids, and their families, can focus on what matters most: friendship, confidence, and moments that feel completely, wonderfully normal.
Shadow Jumpers would like to give a special thank you to Steve Vittoria, CJ Hartwell-Kelly and the incredible team at Rocking Horse Ranch for their partnership in curating an unforgettable weekend for our families.