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CLEARWATER, Florida — The Clearwater Marine Aquarium teamed up with Shriners Hospital to give a Salt Lake City boy the opportunity to meet a dolphin.
Travis Carpenter, 7, was born with neurofibromatosis, a condition that affects one in 3,000 people and causes tumors to grow on nerves. Carpenter has a tumor that runs from the base of his spine down to his legs and it’s become so integrated into his tissue that it can’t be removed, according to a Clearwater Marine Aquarium news release.
As a result, Carpenter wears leg braces and has custom-made shoes from Shriners Hospital to make his legs an even length. The 7-year-old uses a power chair and walker to get around, but despite his condition, nothing slows him down, the news release said.
In January, Carpenter was able to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida with several of his family and friends, hosted by Shriners Hospital. He loved meeting Winter the dolphin.
Watch the video to see the sweet interaction.
