Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Kim Johnson ReportingWhen life deals you a lemon what do you do? Well, if you're a 14-year old brain cancer survivor from Brigham City, you turn it into "Kool Aid."
Fourteen-year old Ethan Kafton is anything but blue.
Ethan Kafton: "I like to be friendly. Yeah. I just smile and wave and dance. Yeah. I definitely bring smiles to the people up here."
During the summer Ethan is a fixture on the corner of 1st North and 1st East, where he sells Kool-Aid for 10 cents a cup, and his origami from 50 cents to a dollar. We asked Ethan how much he makes
Ethan Kafton: "I don't know, a lot."
Ethan lost the use of his right hand four years ago when he suffered through two successive malignant brain tumors. The deftly nimble fingers of his left hand alone create intricate paper flowers, hearts, and birds. Ethan's dad says his son is always trying to think of ways to spice up his business.
Dave Kafton, Ethan's Father: "Just the fact that he's paying attention to what's happening with his business and trying to think, 'Well what's going to work and what's not, and if I do this then it's going to work better,' that just shows a little marketing savvy."
The Kaftons say their son's savvy, his way with people, and his positive attitude make Ethan the ultimate salesman.
Sheila Kafton, Ethan's Mother: "He was born positive. I used to call him my little miracle. He's so different from the rest of the kids, he's always been happy."
Sometimes Ethan starts selling, dancing and waving to people as early as 7:00 am. He's a celebrity in Brigham City. And in a way, Ethan is bringing smiles to people across the world because a soldier from Brigham City has distributed Ethan's flowers to other soldiers in hospitals in Iraq.
Ethan says making others happy is the most gratifying part of his summer job.
Ethan Kafton: "I think the best part of giving, one to another person, is the feeling you get inside."
Ethan was known as "Captain Origami" at Primary Children's Hospital.
