Sometimes life graces you with a moment that makes you realize just how precious and miraculous it is to simply be alive. For us, the story of Caleb Acosta, a Florida teen fighting stage 5 brain cancer, and his adventure withย
Ricochet the surfing dog, is that moment.
Caleb, 15, of Apopka, Florida, had his Make-A-Wish dream fulfilled last week when he and his family flew out to Del Mar Beach California, where he surfed with doggy sensation, Ricochet.
YouTubeCaleb says that he first got the idea to surf with the golden retriever when he saw her story on ESPN. Ricochet, who surfs with kids with special needs, people with disabilities, and wounded warriors, was โwas honored to grant his wish," the therapy dogโs team replied.
YouTubeCaleb, who is unable to walk due to a second tumor on his spine, says that the experience made him feel "almost normal, finally."
YouTube"It felt really good to be free, not worrying anything, having someone to keep my balance," he said after the touching moment he was wheeled into the ocean to join Ricochet on her surf board for a few minutes of fun in the waves. YouTube"My son is an amazing kid," says mother Cathy. "Despite all his pain and all of his difficult situations, that smile that you see, it's always there. He always has it. [โฆ] He's stronger than we are, no doubt."
YouTubeย Caleb has been determined to beat his illness ever since his diagnosis of glioblastoma multiformeย last summer.ย Despite being home schooled while undergoing intense chemo and physical therapy, Caleb is upbeat and on track to graduate high school with his friends, according to hisย
GoFundMeย page.
While his life expectancy is uncertain, Caleb is focused on living day to day, his immediate goal being to walk independently in the next month, says his Facebook page.Caleb says that he is looking forward to beating his cancer so he can โtell everyone about it."
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