An American man with cystic fibrosis who is receiving palliative care has ticked off a major item on his bucket list, speaking to Donald Trump during a surprise phone call from the US President.
In a twist, Jay Barrett's big sister, a Democratic city councillor, arranged the Tuesday night phone call with the Republican President.
In a video of the call posted to Facebook, Mr Trump said: "All right, Jay, you look handsome to me. I just saw a picture of you."
Mr Barrett responded: "Oh, you're giving me kind honours. I look like s***."
Mr Trump then called Mr Barrett "a champ" and asked him: "You're fighting it, right?"
"That's what the Irish do, right?" Mr Barrett answered, to which Mr Trump replied: "Yeah that's what the Irish do, you better believe it," before inviting him to a rally.
Mr Barrett had his wish fulfilled with the help of his sister, Bridgette Hoskie — a Democratic city councillor in Connecticut.
"He said to me, 'How cool would it be to visit [Washington] DC and the President be there [on] the lawn waving'," Ms Hoskie told CNN.
Despite their political differences, Ms Hoskie said she started secretly working to surprise her younger brother.
Hundreds of people pitched in after she appealed to residents of her city, West Haven, to email the President asking him to contact Mr Barrett.
"I wanted him to have a moment to say, 'Wow that just happened'," she said.
Lynne Patton, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development regional chief, arranged the call after reading about Mr Barrett in the New Haven Register, according to local television news station WFSB.
Mr Barrett said it was "a big deal", especially in light of how busy the President was. "He's got a lot stuff on his schedule."
Ms Hoskie said that although she and her brother were like chalk and cheese, their sibling bond was stronger than their differences.
"He's Coke, I'm Pepsi. He's Celtics, I'm Bulls. Giants, Cowboys. Republican, Democrat," Ms Hoskie told WFSB.
"Regardless of whatever happens, we are forever thankful and blessed."
