The Schriever Air Force Base tells the story of Caden Rose, an 18 month year-old diagnosed with a very rare genetic disorder called tyrosinemia type 1. The disorder makes the body unable to properly break down the amino acid tyrosine and can cause liver and kidney failure.

At five years old, Caden knows this all too well. He has already undergone a successful liver transplant after developing liver cancer. He’s had numerous problems with the anti-rejection drugs he will have to take for the rest of his life, so his parents monitor his health very closely.

Did I mention he was only 5 diagnosed with tyrosinemia type 1 at this point?

During Christmas 2011, Caden had a medical emergency and the firefighters who transported him to the hospital decided to hang around the room with his parents until their next call. This prompted Caden’s interest in fire trucks, fire fighters, and the desire to one day follow in their footsteps.

When he and his parents moved, his mother and he rode past their new local fire station and stopped in. She asked if they could visit occasionally, and they were met with a warm welcome. The crew has become so fond of Caden that when they dedicated their new truck, they made Caden an honorary firefighter!

He was presented with a uniform and a pin replicating the city’s flag. Caden’s reaction? He said, “Pretty cool!”

Pretty cool kid indeed.

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