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Bailey-Rose Denise Hammonds

Professor Janey Pease

The Exceptional Child

December 5th 2017

Lorenzos Oil

The movie, Lorenzos Oil (1992) directed by George Miller, follows the real Odone

family in their unyielding quest to cure their sons rare disease. Their son, Lorenzo begins

displaying signs of neurological dysfunction as he begins to throw tantrums and loses his hearing

abilities. After many encounters with doctors and professionals, Lorenzo is diagnosed with

adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, and is given less then two years to live. After being told there is

no cure for their son, Augusto and Michaela begin to travel and consult with various researchers,

doctors, and scientists who are willing to help them do the impossible, cure their son. The story

identifies with parents with children who suffer from an incurable disease.

The Odones struggled as they watch their sons neurological health decline rapidly and

persist in their search for a cure. Three of the six values guiding special education are addressed

in this movie as his parents provide great expectations for their son and refuse to give up on their

search for a cure. Throughout the film, many professionals attempt to set limits on Lorenzo

based on his disabilitywhich is realistically portrayed as ALD is believed to be completely

irreversible and incurable. Despite the medical advice, his parents persist and assure Lorenzo that

he is strong, and he will conquer this. As a result, Lorenzo deals with his illness strongly but, as

he continues to lose function, life becomes much harder.

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Lorenzo makes the choice to become self-determined as he battles his illness with a

positive mind set and an optimistic outlook on his strengths, not his weaknesses. This optimism

is highlighted as his parents find a chemist who suggests that a cure lie in repairing the damaged

parts of the brain with oils. After Mr. Odone seeks an appeal to treat myelin damage, Lorenzo

begins ingesting the oil. After a period of time, Lorenzo begins to feel slightly better and shows

neurological function improvement. His optimism of his strengths and self-determination is

exemplified as he loses his ability to speak and eat on his own, but remains thankful for his intact

eyesight. While the oil is not enough for him to make a full recovery, Lorenzo lives a full twenty

years longer than doctors expected, and died of pneumonia at age 30 (Telegraph, 2008).

I believe that adrenoleukodystrophy is portrayed realistically by Lorenzo in the film

because the symptoms of trouble swallowing, deterioration of motor control, loss of hearing, and

hyperactivity were minimally romanticized and effectively represented (Choi, 2017). However,

the movie unrealistically portrayed the oil as a miracle cure, when the oil doesnt seem to work

for people who are already ill but it does prevent illness in those whose genes make them

vulnerable to developing symptoms. (BBC, 2004). Dr Hugo Moser, the neurologist who was

portrayed in the film, called it an abomination, but eventually recognized that the oil at least

(provided) some benefit in staving off the disease in boys who have not yet developed

symptoms (Maugh, 2007). This further addresses how the miracle cure aspect of the movie

was unrealistic and simply theatrical.

This movie not only introduced the general public to the rare disease of ALD, but also

improved the attitudes of everyone concerning people with rare and incurable diseases and others

with exceptionalities. It teaches that these diseases can happen to anyone and that it so incredibly

important that the family and care providers remain optimistic and supportive. This can do so
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much to improve the longevity of the child by providing high expectations, teaching self-

determination, and building on strengthsthe three values guiding special education I believe

were consistently portrayed in the film.

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References

Choi, Justin. Adrenoleukodystrophy. Adrenoleukodystrophy, Healthline, 17 Apr. 2017,

www.healthline.com/health/adrenoleukodystrophy#symptoms.

Lorenzo's Oil: The Full Story. BBC News, BBC, 21 July 2004, 09:12,

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3907559.stm.

Maugh II, Thomas H. Neurologist's portrayal in `Lorenzo's Oil' belied his real character.

Latimes, 26 Jan. 2007, articles.latimes.com/2007/jan/26/local/me-moser26.

The story of Lorenzo Odone: 'I can't think of him and not cry'. The Telegraph, 27 June 2008,

12:03 am, www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3637067/The-story-of-Lorenzo-Odone-I-

cant-think-of-him-and-not-cry.html.