Health: When Cells Stop Working

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Still, supplements have made a big difference for Asher. He tires easily and has to conserve energy--he uses a wheelchair if he has to travel long distances. He still needs a feeding tube. And he has damage to his optic and auditory nerves, along with some cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, says his mother, "he's a really positive, upbeat boy." Now 5, Asher is in kindergarten. He takes karate lessons and is learning to play tennis. But his family is well aware that he may not survive childhood, so they're always vigilant--sometimes to a fault. One morning last week, says Reckling, "he told me his legs were tingling. I don't know if it's new nerve damage--or if his feet were just asleep."