Hi,

My name is Derek I'm 9 years old and was diagnosed with childhood cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) in January 2021. This is the most severe form, prognosis is generally poor due to progressive neurological deterioration. I'm blessed to have the love and support of my parents Benji and Ana Soto and my sister Celiann. I use to love playing sports, I like maps and flags. I love chicken nuggets and oranges. Now I'm legally blind, unable to walk, or eat, or communicate. I can still laugh and have faith that someday research will find a cure for this disease. "Taking one day at a time."