Cameron Witsman has already faced a lot in his young life, including a double lung transplant, but he got a huge surprise on Friday from the men and women he looks up to.
The 6-year-old boy with a life-threatening illness got to fulfill his dream by becoming an honorary firefighter.
A camera crew tagged along as Cameron went through the tests and was finally given his very own badge and uniform
Photos: Cameron's quest to become an honorary firefighter
The little boy has a passion for firefighting, and those at the Eustis Fire Department didn't hesitate to bring him in as a new recruit to Station 22.
"He was born with a condition called congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation," his mother, Caroline Witsman, said.
Witsman said at 4 months old, the disease took over Cameron's lungs, which required the double lung transplant.
He's a survivor, and he's still fighting, taking eight different medications a day. One of the medications lowers Cameron's immune system, so he can't be around germs or sick people, so he's home-schooled. He frequently has to get IVs, his mother said, but through it all, the only thing he wants to do is become a firefighter so he can help people.
"It really brings tears of joy to my eyes just to see he's been through things that people don't experience in their lifetime, and all he wants to do is help people," said Witsman.
When Fire Chief Rex Winn heard of Cameron's dream, he decided to make him an honorary firefighter, but only after Cameron proved he was ready.
First was the written part of the exam, which was read to Cameron by his mother's boyfriend, firefighter Jason Pepper. Cameron aced the test and then he suited up for the next phase, where he showed his skills by knocking down cones with a hose and by pulling a training dummy to safety.
With that, it was official, and Cameron was given a new fire suit, plaque and hardware.
"I'm proud to be a firefighter," Cameron said when it was all said and done.
