ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A 13-year-old boy who was airlifted to St. Louis Children’s Hospital as a child recently got a glimpse into his future as a medical pilot in training.

EJ Vivier was born in North Dakota with a genetic disorder that caused serious heart problems. He had the first of four heart surgeries when he was 8 days old.

When EJ was 3, his family traveled to Jefferson City to see his grandmother. While there, he had a respiratory attack.

“He was having a respiratory attack. So we went to the emergency room and they basically air-lifted him to St. Louis Children’s Hospital,” his mother said.

EJ does not remember the flight, but he has seen the pictures and heard his mother talk about it.

“The first time I was carried on the helicopter, it was pretty worrisome,” EJ

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