Gordon Hartman was on vacation in 2006 with his daughter Morgan, who was born with physical and cognitive difficulties.

During his time with Morgan, he observed that other kids in the hotel pool were shunning her due to her limited communication skills.

The Texas millionaire said that witnessing his child’s ‘anguished face of confusion’ led him to search for a welcoming environment to take her away.

However, Hartman couldn’t locate what he was looking for.

Driven by his goal for inclusion, the father sold his homebuilding company and planned to develop a theme park where ‘everyone could do anything, where individuals with and without special needs could play’.

Before breaking ground on a 25-acre plot in San Antonio, Texas, the former property developer sought input from a group of physicians, therapists, and families.

Three years later, Morgan’s Wonderland debuted.

The inclusive theme park featured a completely accessible Ferris wheel, adventure playground, miniature train, and a carousel developed exclusively for wheelchair users.

Morgan, on the other hand, did not seem to enjoy the carousel, and it took her three years to muster the bravery to ride it.

Her father told the BBC, “When we first opened, she was too terrified to ride it.” She had no idea why it was whirling around while the animals were moving up and down.

“First she would stand near it, then she’d mount an animal, but we wouldn’t start it. It was a gradual process, but she now enjoys going on it. Overcoming her fear was really important to her. Little achievements in play can have a significant impact.”

In 2017, Hartman helped to open Morgan’s Inspiration Island, the world’s first ‘ultra-accessible’ splash park.

The $17 million extension includes 25 attractions and five interactive splash pads.

Speaking about the waterpark and its parent site, the businessman told Southern Living: “This unique park is a rare location where everybody can have fun, but it was designed with those with special needs in mind.

“Morgan’s Wonderland and Morgan’s Inspiration Island are just like other theme parks except for the added benefit of a culture and environment that assures 100 percent enjoyment by everyone who enters through our Welcome Center.”

Nearly four million people from all 50 states and more than 120 countries have visited the park, according to Brent Fields, CEO of Morgan’s umbrella organization.

“[It’s] helped us spark that spirit of inclusion,” he said on Texas Public Radio.