Health & Fitness
Boy Suffering From Rare Genetic Disorder Gets Room Makeover
Will Byer suffers from a rare genetic disorder known as Sanfilippo syndrome.
HOUSTON, TX -- A 9-year-old Houston boy suffering from a rare genetic disorder had his bedroom get a baseball-inspired makeover. Will Byer, who suffers from Sanfilippo syndrome, received the makeover courtesy of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, Global Shop Solutions, and Sunshine Spaces, the sheriff's office tweeted Wednesday morning.
Boy battling a rare disease gets a room makeover. Deputy Newcomb & community members came together to surprise Will Byer, 9, who suffers from Sanfilippo syndrome, a disease known as children's Alzheimer's. Makeover sponsored by Global Shop Solutions and Sunshine Spaces. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/1L7Vg1hUhR
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) November 7, 2018
Sanfilippo syndrome was discovered in the 1960s and occurs roughly in one in every 70,000 births, the Team Sanfillipo Foundation states on its website.
"Sanfilippo syndrome is a progressive disorder, meaning that at birth the children appear typical and do not show signs of the disorder. As the disease progresses the children degenerate, losing the ability to speak, walk, eat and eventually lose their lives," the foundation states.
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The life expectancy of a child with Sanfillipo is 10-20 years, the foundation added.
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Photo via HCSOTexas
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