Boy, 6, with cystic fibrosis lives dream as garbage man for a day

SACRAMENTO, CA -- A 6-year-old California boy with cystic fibrosis is seeing his wish to be a garbage man come true thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The special day for Ethan Dean, from Rancho Cordova, California, began this morning with a surprise assembly at his elementary school.

Ethan, who uses a nebulizer and takes enzymes daily to manage his condition, was greeted with his own garbage truck, aptly named "Ethan's Garbage Truck."

In a series of stops in Sacramento, Ethan helped the city get rid of its waste, wearing a neon worker's vest and cap that say "Hero Ethan." Hundreds of people came out to cheer him along the way, with handmade signs and loud cheers.

Sam Thurman, who drove the garbage truck, says Ethan couldn't wipe the grin from his face all day. He says he looked like it was Christmas morning and he was opening his first present.

At one stop, someone asked Ethan what the best part of his day has been so far. He smiled and said it's "cleaning up garbage."

He ended his day of fun at the state Capitol, where hundreds of people cheered him on.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)