ST. PAUL — A 9-year-old Ham Lake boy who was gravely ill after suffering a rare pediatric stroke will lead a special walk this weekend.

Ethan Fritts has made a remarkable recovery after a simple headache last fall led to an ambulance ride to the hospital. Doyle Fritts said he could literally see his son slipping away and his body shutting down. Doctors performed surgery and Ethan was on the road to recovery.

Ethan is back to playing in his neighborhood as if nothing ever happened. He will lead the annual Strides for Stroke awareness walk on Saturday. The walk is being held in St. Paul and Rochester.