Most scenes together: Michaela Odone & Lorenzo Odone (8), Michaela Odone & Augusto Odone (6), Lorenzo Odone & Augusto Odone (3)
Dr. Nikolais, what about the other boys, what results are you seeing in them?
As with Lorenzo, it's too early to tell. We need the study to run for the full six months.
And that would tell you what is obvious right now? That avoiding apple skins and pizza has no effect on this brutal disease?
It's a school, Lorenzo, like any other school.
It's full of doctors?
Yes, Darling. Some of the cleverest in America.
When we first went to the Comoros, what did we do? We got to know the country, right?
Yes.
We studied, we got to know the language, resources, its law. We studied, right? We should treat Lorenzo's illness like another country.
I don't quite see the analogy.
All right, all right. ALD has many dimensions, right?
Yes
So, in order to understand it, we need to command genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, neurology, ology-ology-ology.
Augusto, we don't have time to go to medical school.
Michaela, the doctors are in the dark. They're groping in the dark. They've got Lorenzo on a turvy-topsy diet. And that bloody immunosuppression is brutal and useless. Michaela, we should not have consigned him blindly into their hands. He should not suffer by our ignorance. We take responsibility. So... we read a little. And we go out and inform ourselves. Hmm.
But... to miss time with him while he can still speak to us... How can…"
Yes, I know, I know. But he expects it of us.
Ellard Muscatine When Michael, our first boy, got sick we searched around looking for anything that might help him. You wanna know the best thing that happened? He was taken quickly. Now Tommy... he has lasted three years, and for two of them, he's been without his sight, his mind, everything that makes him a human being, he's a vegetable. Y'know if you would just stop all this denial, you wouldn't do a thing to prolong your boy's suffering and indignity one minute longer.
Has it occurred to you that maybe he doesn't want to be around anymore?
The faculty is very grateful to Lorenzo for doing this.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is Lorenzo Odone; whom I've spoken to you about. Now; young Mr. Odone, you need to come with me. You're getting so big! I'm gonna put you up here so we can all see you, okay? Attaboy. Ten weeks after diagnosis, we observe hemianopia. The pupillary light reflexes are still intact and, as yet, there is no optic atrophy. However, there is evidence of early occipital lobe involvement."
Why are all these people here?
I beg your pardon, Lorenzo?
Why are all these people here?
He asks why all these people are here.
Well, they're all doctors and they want to learn how to help other boys in the future.
Other boys with the boo-boo?
Yes, Darling.
Mm-hm.
Thank you, Lorenzo. Now in the scanning speech, we look for both ends of the pathology: centrally for the dysphasia and peripherally for the dysarthria. Now, Lorenzo, would you walk for me please? Attaboy. That's right, hold my hands. That's right. Two months ago, there was simply motor lag. Now, note the characteristic gait, it's due mostly to hyperreflexia but exacerbated by the encroaching paresis. You're doing very well, Lorenzo! Keep coming!
Only if you stop talking like that.
(Audience whispering)
What color's that cross?
Red.
That's right. It's red. I'm gonna speak to your parents but Leah's gonna stay and check your blood pressure, okay? I'll be right back.
I'll just put this around your arm.
Look, it's important you both know what's going on. Cyclophosphamides are no picnic. This is all-out chemotherapy. We're gonna be suppressing his immune system. It's very high-risk We're gonna need to keep him here at least three weeks.
That's it.
Lorenzo's still walking, he's still talking, he's still communicating. But that can all change, now, knowing all of this, do you still want us to go through with this?
Given the alternatives, yes.
Now, hold my hand.
Yes, Sweetie.
Now, the story.
And what story is that, Sweetheart.
La Notte di San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo, who is?
My patron saint and saint to my father's village.
That's right, and what happened to him?
He was in Rome and, I forgot.
Well; many years ago, the bad guy says to him 'Bring me the riches of your church!' and Lorenzo, he brings them the beggars and the sick people and he says—
'These are our riches!'
Yes! Bravo, Lorenzino!
That's wonderful, Sweetheart! So clever!
Bravo! And tonight, August 10th, is?
La Notte di San Lorenzo.
The night of the shooting stars.
When anything can happen.
Why are all these people here?
Beg your pardon, Lorenzo?
Why are all these people here?
He asks 'why all these people are here?'
Well, they're all doctors and they want to learn how to help other boys in the future.
Other boys with the boo-boo?
Yes, Darling.
Anyhow, it was snowing and he began to rub my hands to warm them.
Deirdre Murphy Uh-oh!
No, no, no, he then produced photos of his wife and children.
Deirdre Murphy That old routine!
Oh, Deirdre!
Had I'd known this would be the man I would wait ten years for, I would've let you pick up the check.
I did pick it up!
Excuse me! You did not! I'm sorry but I… I even left the tip! (Laughs) Look at him, Mother!
That's not fair!
Lorenzo's fallen off his bike and he is really bleeding!
Darling, how were they annoying you? Were they teasing you?
No.
Were they touching your paints?
No.
Well, how were they annoying you?
They just were.
Doing what?
Things.
What kind of things?
Things that make me feel annoyed.
Here he is! The cleverest boy in the world!
What's this?
See you tomorrow, Lorenzo!
It's, uh, it's a picture.
Oh, my goodness!
And, uh, there's the Comoros.The little islands.
Of course, it is.
Young Teacher Mrs. Odone, may I have a word?
Very skillful, Sweetheart.
And, uh, Jupiter.
Jupiter's next to the Comoros? I'll be right there, Lorenzo.
Okay, Mommy.
Yes?
Young Teacher Is Lorenzo having any problems at home?
Not that I know of, why?
Young Teacher Because today, he suddenly started throwing paints around. He went wild destroying other children's paintings.
Surely, he must've been provoked then?
Young Teacher No, it came out of the blue. He's normally such a terrific kid.
The life of one boy is not enough reward for you to risk the reputation of the institution and the esteem of your peers.
That was uncalled for. Your responsibility is merely towards your own child. My responsibility is towards all the boys that suffer from this disease, now and in the future. Of course I anguish for the suffering of your boy. And of course I applaud you for the efforts you make on his behalf. But I will have nothing to do with this oil.
We are not asking, Doctor, for your anguish or your applause. We are asking merely for a little courage.
He does present as a Hyperactive.
But Hyperactives repeat tasks endlessly, don't they?
They perseverate, yes.
Lorenzo's activities all have a shape and structure: beginning, middle and end.
My Gosh, he's learned three languages. How can he be Hyperactive?
I know it's hard to accept that a gifted child may also be disturbed.
I think that Lorenzo needs to be referred to our IDP committee.
What's that?
For what?
Individual Disablity Placement. Lorenzo needs to be in a special ed. class.
Any special ed. our son needs will be provided at home.
Young Teacher Mrs. Odone?
Another incident?
Young Teacher Yes. And today, it was much worse.
Mrs. Odone, is there some trouble at home?
Why do you assume the trouble is at home?
Because there's nothing here that explains his behavior. It's... disturbed.
