Graham, NC-- Mikey Walker was born with a severe sun allergy. A protective suit allowed him some type of normalcy. This past Sunday, Mikey died due to medical complications.
His family sat down with News 2 and explained how Mikey taught them every day is a gift.
It was something no mom or dad could prepare for. Twenty years ago, Angela Walker realized her son had an illness none of his doctors had ever seen.
"This was the first case of his condition that they had ever seen in Chapel Hill hospital", Angela Walker told News 2.
Mikey was diagnosed with a rare disease shortly after he was born which made him allergic to ultraviolet rays from the sun. The Walker family turned their lives inside out to make sure Mikey could live his life as normally as his brothers.
Angela said, "It was roller-skating in the house, going outside after dark playing, going to the park at night."
When science stepped in to give Mikey his only chance at being outside during the day, TV cameras were there. A special report on 20/20 aired in 1997. Mikey was the first American child to receive a protective suit, allowing him to be in the sun.
"They did not expect him to live and so every day with him was a gift", recalled Angela.
That protective suit opened my new doors for Mikey. He went on to graduate from Graham High School and was attending Alamance Community College.
Just recently, Mikey's health took a bad turn. He died on Sunday from medical complications involving his disease, kidney failure, and a weak immune system.
Angela spoke about her son's spirit. "He appreciated everything that he had. He might not have had all the best of everything but he had what he needed and he knew that."
Mikey, the boy who never enjoyed the sun, has helped his mom, brothers, and so many others see the light.
WFMY News 2