EAST TEXAS (KYTX) -- Imagine being told by doctors that your son will not live past the age of eight. Then, by overcoming obstacles, he lives long enough to attend his high school prom, where something very special happens.
King Travis is the story of a remarkable boy, "the most perfect boy in the world," and his family.
Travis was gentle and kind, however, he had trouble breathing and doctor's did not know what was wrong with him. But he continued to grow and became strong and healthy.
"He has a rare disease with autistic tendencies," King Travis' mother Kristin McCullough said.
McCullough calls her son King Travis because, back in 2009, his classmates looked past his disabilities and elected him as their prom king at Midlothian High School in North Texas.
Now, he's 21 but for Travis and his mother, it was another chapter to an amazing story.
"That I thought was the best moment of my life," McCullough said.
When Travis was four years old he had a series of strokes and for three months he was in a coma.
"My fear of his story would be not a good ending," McCullough said. "It would be him dying."
Doctors told McCullough that her son would never live to be a teenager. But King Travis proved them wrong.
"It was the topping that I never expected to Travis's story," she said.
His story is told through the words of Alex Allred, an unlikely author Travis met in an unlikely place.
"I knew something was different with Travis," Allred said.
Travis and his family met Allred at a garage sell.
"She had a pool for sale and me and my husband couldn't afford it," McCullough said.
Allred gave the family the pool for free and after hearing Travis's story, she wrote his book.
"I just wanted parents to know there are good times ahead," Allred said. "There is happiness."
McCullough said King Travis's story comes with a message that, "it doesn't matter what you look like...it doesn't matter how big or small you are..you're the most perfect boy in the world and you are the most perfect girl in the world."
A message of acceptance, love and understanding that Travis has always understood.
This book means more to McCullough than anyone could ever imagine.
"Because Travis will most likely not outlive me, Alex making a book about him makes him live forever," she said.
The money earned from book sales will go directly to Travis and his family. If a record number of books are sold, Allred plans to use the money to help autism agencies across the county.
