"I was basically dead. Standing there just trying to live. I didn’t care at that time what was going to happen to me, it was too much information in such a short span of time," he shared.

His wish? To meet the Pope in Rome. This powerful wish was granted in 2012, and it marked the start of a new journey for Kristen. Now, age 21 and soon graduating from the University of Hawaii, Kristen recounts what it was like to meet the Pope and how it helped him overcome.

"In a sense, meeting the Pope was confirmation I would be okay. Looking back, I still feel the same way but I am able to see the larger picture of it as a life-changing experience," he said. "My advice to a wish kid just starting the journey is to stay positive. I know it's hard, and it sounds cliche, but that is the only way to go about it. You will get through it."

Video By: Isle Media