'Kid President' takes the stage for White House April Fools'

Special announcement was not from President Barack Obama

WASHINGTON – At this point, most people have seen the Kid President before, and on April Fools' Day, he was the star of a YouTube video put out by the White House.

Monday morning, The White House tweeted there would be a special video message from the President at around 10:00 a.m. But when viewers logged onto The White House website, they got the Kid President instead!

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Robby Novak is 9 years old, and you wouldn't know it from his sunny disposition, but he actually has a serious medical condition. It is called osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease that makes his bones brittle. To date, he's had more than 70 broken bones, and 13 surgeries. He even has steel rods in both legs.

But Robby said he doesn't let it bother him.

"I don't worry about it, like, that's my point. I'm trying not to worry about it! Like, I want everybody to know, I'm not that kid who breaks a lot.  I'm just a kid who wants to have fun."

Robby and his sister, Lexi, who also has brittle bone disease, were adopted by Laurie and David Novak when they were toddlers.

But Robby's brother-in-law, Brad Montague, said Robby's attitude and energy have always been positive and infectious, so he decided to put him on video.

"He wakes up and you will ask him, 'How was your day today?' and he'll go, 'Awesome,'" said Montague. "You know, we're really celebrating everything that happens. Like, 'We're alive! Yes!' You know? No matter what."

Montague said at first, the videos were just for the family. But once they were posted online, Robby became a national sensation, even catching the attention of the real president.

But the best part about being Kid President for Robby?

"Dancing.  I feel like I'm flying like a Bird, like, all birds fly, except ostriches."


About the Author:

Tara Evans is an executive producer and has been with News 6 since January 2013. She currently spearheads News 6 at Nine and specializes in stories with messages of inspiration, hope and that make a difference for people -- with a few hard-hitting investigations thrown in from time to time.

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