Six-year-old Desmond Walsh had a once-in-a-lifetime coincidence this spring when he met another boy with the exact same name and birthday.

Walsh and his mother, Kristen Strickland, were waiting for treatment at the Janeway Children's Hospital for his arm, which he hurt while playing on his bicycle.

But when the nurse called out for Desmond Walsh, two families stood up.

"The mom and I just looked at each other," Strickland told the St. John's Morning Show.

Kirsten Strickland and Desmond Walsh got a once-in-a-lifetime surprise at the Janeway this spring. (Submitted by Kirsten Strickland)

"[I said] 'Well that's Desmond,' and then she's like 'That's Desmond,' showing her son."

Both boys had the same middle name, were both born in November and were both seeking treatment for a hurt right arm.

"We looked at the nurse, stunned," said Strickland. "We looked at each other more or less like, 'What the heck just happened? What is going on here?'

"I was not knowing — I just (did not) understand, [did not] know what's going on."

The mix-up was eventually sorted as one of the Desmonds was a year older than the other. Strickland's son says he got into treatment first, and he's off school with an improving arm.