arts
Illinois teen with muscular dystrophy gets wish to see dolphins granted in Key Largo
By Matthew Garcia at WSVN 7 News
· July 8, 2026
· 3 min read
For one remarkable day, an 18-year-old facing a life-threatening illness got to trade doctor’s appointments for an up close look at dolphins. Brent Meizelis, who lives in Illinois, suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, DMD, which is a severe, progressive genetic disorder that causes muscle weakn
Key takeaway Brent Meizelis, who lives in Illinois, suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, DMD, which is a severe, progressive genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and wasting.
Why this matters in The Miami
The collaboration between Make-A-Wish Illinois and Make-A-Wish Southern Florida that granted Brent Meizelis' wish to see dolphins in Key Largo showcases the strong connections between organizations in South Florida and those in other parts of the country. Miami 's proximity to the Keys makes it an ideal location for such wishes to be fulfilled, with many research centers and marine facilities in the area offering unique opportunities for interaction with marine life. For Brent, who dreams of becoming a marine biologist, this experience was especially meaningful, and his enthusiasm was palpable to the staff at Dolphins Plus. The fact that his mother, Veronica, could see her son simply being an 18-year-old, making lifelong memories, highlights the value of such experiences in the lives of young people facing serious illnesses. This wish fulfillment also underscores the importance of organizations like Make-A-Wish in providing experiences that go beyond medical treatment.
About this story
Original reporting by WSVN 7 News . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSVN 7 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: WSVN 7 News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? For one remarkable day, an 18-year-old facing a life-threatening illness got to trade doctor’s appointments for an up close look at dolphins. Brent Meizelis, who lives in Illinois, suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, DMD, which is a severe, progressive genetic disorder that causes muscle weakn
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Matthew Garcia at WSVN 7 News. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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