The parents of a young boy with a rare genetic disorder are receiving medical assistance from specialists at a US clinic.

Laurie-Ann Stovell and Jamal Smith were hoping to get their son Azenje admitted to the University of California San Diego's School of Medicine but when his symptoms recently worsened, they were directed to Ohio's Cleveland Clinic.

Azenje, aged 21 months, has Mitochondrial Disease, which attacks the brain cells, nerves, muscles and organs in the body. The disease is characterised by cells being unable to burn off food and oxygen, and so generate energy.

He first started showing symptoms earlier this year when he began to lose his balance and fall over. Doctors at Children's Hospital Boston however, told Miss Stovell and Mr. Smith they did not know which form of the disease Azenje had and so they needed to obtain specialist treatment to improve his chances of survival.

Miss Stovell and Mr. Smith applied to admit Azenje to the UCSD Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center and were just awaiting the results of a muscle biopsy on their son Na'zyje – who died of the same disease in May 2005. A few weeks ago however, Azenje's symptoms worsened.

Miss Stovell said: "Azenje started to have signs that the sickness was coming back, as his skin started getting worse, he started falling over and he had a stiff neck.

"Jamal called San Diego to see if they could admit him and they gave us the number of the Cleveland Clinic."

Speaking shortly after their return from Ohio, Miss Stovell said Azenje was given IV (intravenous) medication for three days and underwent an MRI scan. The little boy must now also take higher doses of his medication and wear glasses.

Miss Stovell said: "His walking is still a little unsteady but he's getting better, and the MRI scan shows the disease is not affecting his brain, so he is doing better now."

She said that as Cleveland Clinic has a Mitochondrial centre, the family are now hoping to admit Azenje there rather than UCSD.

"We have decided we are going to go to them for treatment instead, and are just waiting for some genetic tests to come back to pinpoint how Azenje got the disease," said Miss Stovell.

"Once we get that information we will move forward. I am feeling quite positive about everything."

Although BF&M Insurance will cover most of Azenje's hospital costs, his parents still have to pay for his medication and their living expenses during any hospital visit. They are also currently spending up to $400 a week on medication, as Azenje has to take hundreds of pills each day, mixed up with PediaSure.

The community has so far donated more than $5,000 to help save Azenje's life.

If you can assist the family in any way, please contact them at: AzenjeSmithMedicalFund@hotmail.com