Genies may grant you three wishes in fairy tales, but they also dont exist.
The Make-a-Wish Foundation on the other hand grants you one wish, and it does come true.
Although Ethan Koehler, 11, of Keokuk, originally wanted to go to Italy for his special wish, it became clear from his interests that Hawaii would be a more suitable destination.
Aidan, his younger brother, said, You dont even speak the language!
But Ethan does speak dolphin, having met a few in Oahu, where the four-member Koehler family visited in February. Mom Jessica, dad Ed and and the two boys went from Feb. 16-25, taking an extended visit to Maui on their own, on the notion they may never get such an opportunity again.
I got a belly ride on a dolphin, said Ethan, and it gave me a kiss.
Ethan is a fifth grader at Keokuk Catholic Schools, and two years ago he was diagnosed with Friedreichs Ataxia. Its a rare neuromuscular disease it affects about 1 in 50,000, according to Jessica and is degenerative and progressive. There is no treatment or cure at this time.
It causes muscle fatigue, lack of coordination, shakiness and many other ailments, but so far, Ethan is leading an active lifestyle.
He loves to be active, Jessica said, but hes unable to participate in team sports at this point.
But he loves to swim, which was why one of three activities set up by Make-a-Wish was swimming with the dolphins and hes a decorated Cub Scout who enjoys the outdoors and the Mississippi River.
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11-year-old from Keokuk gets belly ride on dolphin during family's visit to Hawaii in February