Did you ever see the movie, Lorenzo's Oil? It's a true story!
Augusto and Michaela Odone (Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon) are the adoring parents of a bright little boy who inexplicably develops alarming behavioral problems, after they return from working in the Comoro Islands. A series of investigations results in a diagnosis of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), but the boy rapidly deteriorates into a bed-ridden, inarticulate state. Frustrated by the medical profession's inability to help, Augusto and Michaela embark on an odyssey of salvation, studying lipid metabolism, promoting international conferences, and trying to disseminate their findings to other parents.
Their insights lead them to experiment with at least two effective therapies, one of which is erucic acid (Lorenzo's oil). Leaders of an ALD support group are cast as unquestioning followers of useless medical advice, who simply await the inevitable end of their children. The parents and the film have had an impact on research: the Odones are authors of scientific papers and the term "Lorenzo's Oil" can now be found in the medical literature.
Mercifully, there was no "husband" involved! The parents were able to seek and find a cure that has benefitted children all around the world. They never gave up!.
Has anyone written Christopher Reeve. If he would just dictate his thoughts and send them to be read at court Monday! Wouldn't be great if he showed up in person!