Lorenzo Odone

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Lorenzo Michael Murphy Odone (born May 29, 1978)^[1] is a person with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), and is notable because of the quest for a treatment by his parents, Augusto and Michaela Odone.

1 Quest for a treatment
2 Presently
3 Mother and father
4 Further reading
5 External links

[edit] Quest for a treatment

With the limited research available, his father Augusto sparked the invention of Lorenzo's oil, which is the first agent to have shown therapeutic benefit in ALD. His parents' quest for a treatment for Lorenzo was depicted in the film Lorenzo's Oil, and is the subject of the Phil Collins song "Lorenzo" (on his 1996 album Dance Into the Light).

[edit] Presently

As of 2006, Lorenzo is still alive and celebrated his 28^th birthday. He remains almost totally paralyzed but is, according to his father, Augusto, "holding his own." Lorenzo cannot see, speak, or move on his own. He communicates by wiggling his fingers and blinking his eyes. His mind is intact and he continues to enjoy music and having people read to him. "Certainly, he has good days and bad days, he is bedridden and he cannot eat more than through a tube… but his mind is still there. He likes that we read to him, that we play music for him and he knows who is around him". Augusto Odone (New Scientist)".^{[citation needed]} He lives with his father in Virginia and is cared for by nurses and family friend, Oumouri Hassane.

[edit] Mother and father

Lorenzo's mother, Michaela Odone, died from lung cancer in June 2000. His father, Augusto Odone, continues to organize and support new research into the causes of ALD through the Myelin Project, which he founded.

[edit] Further reading

Kugler, Mary. ALD and Lorenzo's Oil. About. Retrieved on June 3, 2006.
Vedantam, Shankar. "A Real-Life Sequel to 'Lorenzo's Oil'; After His Death, Scientist's Work May Bear Fruit." Washington Post. January 28, 2007.