But at 3 1/2, Neil was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which affects children between 2 and 6 years old and progressively weakens the body's muscles. The disorder is primarily found in boys, and most do not live past their early 20s.

On the advice of their doctors, the Kalanis contacted the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Hawai'i. The family joined a support group, and the MDA paid $4,000 for Neil's first wheelchair. Neil has gone to the MDA's summer camp every year since he was 7.

In turn, the Kalani family has given back to the organization. They'll be out on street corners this weekend with fishnets to collect money for the Catch-A-Cure campaign and volunteering at the Hawai'i portion of the 39th Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, which airs tomorrow through 11 p.m. Monday.

The Kalanis say Neil's first MDA camp helped him feel better about having muscular dystrophy. Every year around 50 neuromuscular disorder patients spend a week at Camp Erdman on O'ahu. "(I liked) just being able to be with everybody who's like me," said Neil, who looks forward to camp every year. "I don't feel out of place."

The summer camp is one of many programs the MDA runs. "We are so grateful for the support that they give us," Carol Kalani said. "The people, the clients, the families, the MDA staff — we get to be like a family."

MDA Hawai'i staff member Audrey Taniguchi has known the Kalanis for five years. She says they are a very close family with a lot of energy for the MDA. "They're probably one of our most active families, and not just by receiving services," Taniguchi said. "They support MDA."

For the past several years Neil's older brother, Jeff, pulled together 10 or 15 members of his professional engineering association to work at the Catch-A-Cure fund-raiser. Neil's diagnosis "was hard to take because I always wanted a little brother and I didn't think I'd have one," said Jeff, who was 14 when Neil was born. "I was so happy because I wanted to teach him how to surf and all those cool big brother things with him."

Not having the use of his legs hasn't slowed down the 18-year-old. "I just dealt with (the wheelchair). I knew I'd eventually have to (use) it," he said. The custom-fit, red and black power wheelchair Neil uses allows him to swiftly steer just about anywhere.

"He's the same way in his wheelchair as he was as a toddler," said his father Ken. In fact the Kalanis had to replace their Mililani house's heavy-duty carpet with hardwood floors because Neil had worn holes in it.

"I like the independence of it," Neil said.

By the fifth grade, Neil could only move about with a wheelchair. Remembering Neil's boundless toddler energy, Carol said, "It was almost as if his body knew, and that he had to get all that energy out."

Neil's diagnosis wasn't something that took a few weeks to adjust to. "For the first year I'd cry every single day," Carol said. "(Neil) used to ask me, 'Mom did I do something wrong? Did I make you unhappy?' "

Except for a few trapped-in-the-elevator incidences, Neil was able to go to Mililani Uka Elementary with moderate adjustments, though he resisted going into the wheelchair as long as he could. It helped that Carol took a job there as a cafeteria lunch ticket taker. His classmates became protective of Neil if any other students made comments.

Neil graduated from Mililani High School this year. The family will go to Japan this month as his graduation present.

Neil plans on studying graphic arts at Leeward Community College, starting in January and has talked about the possibility of having his own apartment. He goes out every other weekend with Jeff to the movies or music stores and the occasional University of Hawai'i game.

There is no cure for muscular dystrophy and not many ways to treat the disorder. Neil is not on any medication. Carol says he used to do physical therapy, but eventually muscle spasm pains during exercises outweighed the benefits.