Some might say that life has dealt Trezevant resident Zachary Butler a bad hand.

Diagnosed with a rare debilitating disease as a child and confined to a wheelchair since his late teens, now 33-year-old Butler has recently been informed by doctors that he only has about six months left to live.

But this exceptional young man isn’t ready to lay his cards down and walk away from the table quite yet.

In fact, he is currently embarking on a brand new adventure and the fulfillment of a longtime dream.

Though a partnership between The Dream Foundation, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to adults with terminal illnesses, and the private biotechnology corporation, Genentech, Butler has been granted an all-expense-paid, four-day, three-night trip to Las Vegas, Nevada and a personal meeting with his idol, world famous poker player Daniel Negreanu.

Butler was flown out to Vegas on Monday, along with his mother, Cynthia Mayberry, and his personal caregiver, Barbara Elgamal.

Several representatives from Genentech – including Elvis impersonator Keith Burnett and Liz Hobbs as the Queen of Hearts – visited Butler’s home on January 23 to present him with the tickets for his trip, $200 in spending money, and other gifts and memorabilia.

“This is great,” said Butler regarding his upcoming trip.

He added that he is especially looking forward to meeting Negreanu, who has invited Butler to come and visit with him at his own home in Las Vegas.

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