Boy with rare disease gets birthday surprise
Mar 20, 2018, 2:15 PM | Updated: Jun 7, 2022, 3:59 pm
PRESCOTT, Wis. — An entire school got to take part in a birthday surprise for one of its students when a Harlem Globetrotter star stopped by.
The celebration included a special message about bullying for 10-year-old Ethan Kranig, who’s had to endure his fair share.
Globe Trotter Zeos McClurkin explained the ABC’s of preventing bullying, “Disarming a bully is one of the best things you can do.”
And bulling is something that Ethan knows quite a bit about. He has a rare genetic condition that can cause missing fingers and toes, a cleft lip and growth problems. Ethan has also lost much of his eyesight.
Ethan’s mother Natalie Kranig said they recently resolved a bullying issue, “The kid was calling Ethan a name and it really hurt him. He came home crying. We talked to the teachers about it and the kid wrote an apology. Ethan came home and said, ‘You know what, that kid wrote an apology and I forgive him Mom.'”
Wyatt Kranig is Ethan’s big brother who stands up for him.
He said, “It kinda hurts me. You know he’s a unique kid. Once you really get to know the guy, he’s amazing.”
Last summer, Ethan’s parents took him to see the ocean for the first time.
A foundation arranged for Ethan to become an honorary lifeguard during his visit to the New Jersey Shore and an honorary police officer with the Wildwood Police Department.
The Globetrotters heard about Ethan and decided to pay him a visit in his hometown of Prescott.
McClurkin said, “I don’t want anyone bullying while Ethan is on the job. You guys promise me that? Awesome.” McClurkin also brought Ethan tickets to see the Globetrotters perform in Wisconsin later this month.
