LIRR Helps Long Island Teen With Rare Disease Achieve His Dream

ISLIP, NY - An Islip High School junior with a rare disease got to fulfill his dream of working for the Long Island Rail Road.

In a video posted by assistant principal Lisa Ward on YouTube, 18-year-old Malik Ellis spoke about having prune belly syndrome which causes kidney failure in both of his kidneys.

"Throughout my whole life, I had to be in and out of hospitals resulting in me missing so much school and missing so much stuff in my life that I've really wanted to do."

In 2011, Ellis got a kidney transplant from his older sister which allowed him to "do the things he wanted to do." However two years later, the kidney began to fail and caused internal bleeding.

Currently, he has to continue to be in and out of hospitals for treatment.

In the video, Ellis says he wants to continue his life and eventually go on to college and work for the LIRR.

"Ever since I was a little kid I've had an interest in trains," he said.

The video was posted with the intention of finding Ellis a kidney, but after seeing the video, the LIRR decided to arrange a whole special day for him.

On Monday, Ellis got to become an MTA employee. complete with a uniform, badge and schedule handbook. He also got an inside look on how the LIRR works.

"I got to do what I really wanted to do since I was 2 years old, it's amazing," he told ABC7. "It was like a nice start to my dream job."

Photos: Islip High School