Miami Youngster Fights Rare Disease

Local comedians join family to raise awareness for rare child's disease

Nicolas Peruyero was born a normal, healthy boy. He did everything a normal boy his age would do, but two years ago, at the age of three, his parents noticed that something wasn't right.

Nicolas began falling from one day to the next. His parents, Miguel and Nancy Peruyero took him to the doctor and where in shock at what they heard.

"The doctor told us he had Batten Disease," said Nancy Peruyero.

Nancy and Miguel had never heard about this disease before. They learned that it was an inherited disorder of the nervous system affecting two to four of every 100,000 births. It's an untreatable and incurable disease with a life expectancy of 8 to 12 years.
Symptoms start with seizures, visual impairment, eventually blindness. Children are unable to talk, walk and eventually become bed ridden.

"I didn't know a child could be born normal and then progress to what is going to happen to him or even to where he is now." says Nancy.

Nicolas depends on his parents for everything. He lost his ability to walk last year, can't speak and goes through hours of therapy a week. This doesn't stop his family from giving him the best life they can.

"He loves to laugh, loves to play, he is amazing," says Nancy.

His family are not the only ones that feel that way. Local comedian Lisa Corrao has never met Nicolas before, but after reading about his fight on Facebook she knew she had to do something.

"I though why don't we do a show at the Ft. Lauderdale Improv and try to raise a ton money for Nicolas," says Corrao. 'If it can help out a sweet little boy who is going through a hard time then I think its a great thing."

Batten disease does not affect many children and because not too many are familiar with the disorder, researchers have a hard time getting funding for their studies.

Lisa, along with other local comedians, is hoping laughter is the best medicine to raise funds and awareness for the rare disease.

They will put on a comedy show Wednesday night at the Ft. Lauderdale Improv. The laughs start at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15. All proceeds will be donated for research investment. You can also donate money by visiting fightfornicolas.com
 

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