MedStar is thrilled to announce the selection of 2 wonderful kiddos for this year’s Trick or Treat event.
These amazing kids are brothers who suffer from the same neurologic disorder, and the family was nominated by Cook Children’s Health Plan.
Christopher and Maximillian are 10- and 5-year-old brothers who both suffer from Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, an extremely rare a disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is a type of leukodystrophy and is characterized by problems with motor skills, normal physical development, and intellectual function.
- Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) affects the central nervous system and impairs the ability to coordinate movement, resulting in involuntary muscle spasms, loss of motor abilities, and progressive deterioration of intellectual function. The neurologic signs of PMD are usually slowly progressive.
- Other symptoms include severe intellectual disability and loss of muscle tone, and respiratory ailments.
- There is no cure for PMD, nor is there a standard course of treatment.
- The prognosis for those with the severe forms of PMD is poor, with progressive deterioration until death.
Christopher is dressing up as Superman, Maximillian as Mickey Mouse, and will be accompanied on the event by their family; sister Aubrey will be dressed up as Pluto, dad is going as Shazam, and mom’s costume has yet to be determined! 😊
This year, in an abundance of safety, the event will take place on Saturday, October 29th. We and the Berkeley/Pembroke Neighborhood Association feel this will be a safer evening for these medically challenged brothers.
