LONE TREE -- Max Vertin is a lot like other 8-year-olds. He likes pizza, collecting bugs and watching baseball. But unlike other boys, he suffers a rare disease that's eating away at his muscles -- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Unfortunately for the Vertins, it runs in the family. Max's brothers Charlie and Rowen suffer from the very same disease.
"First of all, it's hard for all three of them to do things. You know they walked late, they ran late. Taking medicine helps them run and jump," explained Betty Vertin, the boys' mother.
But this week, the family experienced some good luck. They've been treated with parties, limo rides and a dream-come-true for Max. He got to fly like his favorite superhero, Iron Man.
It was all thanks to the "Make-a-Wish" foundation which brought the Vertins from their home in Hastings, Nebraska to Lone Tree, Colorado. It was there that they visited SkyVenture Colorado, a company that gave Max and his whole family the chance to fly in a special indoor wind tunnel.
A clearly emotional Betty Vertin explained that her tears were happy tears. "He deserves a few days to just be a kid," Vertin said.
Max's older sister Lexi agreed. "This is awesome. This is the break we needed. It's nice not be at the doctor's and getting them shots. We can just have fun."
One of the highlights of Max's trip to SkyVenture was a visit from Iron Man, who brought Max a superhero suit of his own. When Max's limo pulled away Tuesday, a cheering crowd held signs renaming him "Iron Max."
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LONE TREE -- Max Vertin is a lot like other 8-year-olds. He likes pizza, collecting bugs and watching baseball. But unlike other boys, he suffers a rare disease that's eating away at his muscles -- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Unfortunately for the Vertins, it runs in the family. Max's brothers Charlie and Rowen suffer from the very same disease.
"First of all, it's hard for all three of them to do things. You know they walked late, they ran late. Taking medicine helps them run and jump," explained Betty Vertin, the boys' mother.
But this week, the family experienced some good luck. They've been treated with parties, limo rides and a dream-come-true for Max. He got to fly like his favorite superhero, Iron Man.
It was all thanks to the "Make-a-Wish" foundation which brought the Vertins from their home in Hastings, Nebraska to Lone Tree, Colorado. It was there that they visited SkyVenture Colorado, a company that gave Max and his whole family the chance to fly in a special indoor wind tunnel.
A clearly emotional Betty Vertin explained that her tears were happy tears. "He deserves a few days to just be a kid," Vertin said.
Max's older sister Lexi agreed. "This is awesome. This is the break we needed. It's nice not be at the doctor's and getting them shots. We can just have fun."
One of the highlights of Max's trip to SkyVenture was a visit from Iron Man, who brought Max a superhero suit of his own. When Max's limo pulled away Tuesday, a cheering crowd held signs renaming him "Iron Max."
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