Family Voices

Meet the Shermantine brothers

Meet the Parents and Grandparents of Jack Frye

Laurel, mom of Chip, Age 13 and David, Age 14 1/2

Nicholas, Age 11 and DiAngelo, Age 7

Bryce, Age 11

Sammy, Age 10

Bryce - Age 11

In November 2000, Bryce, then 4 years old, was diagnosed with Hunter syndrome, but it was not a trip to the doctor that initially alerted Bryce's parents that something might be wrong.

It was when a gymnastics instructor told them that their son could not participate in tumbling class due to his limited range of motion that they realized Bryce could be experiencing something more than normal developmental issues.

Bryce's family went to their physician for guidance, but their pediatrician did not know what was wrong. After 6 months of seeing several physicians, Bryce finally landed at UCLA, where a team headed up by Elizabeth Neufeld, PhD, diagnosed Bryce with Hunter syndrome (MPS II).

Bryce is a very creative 11 year old with a passion for drawing cartoons. His comic strip is called “32nd Street” and the characters include himself, his friends, and a stuffed bear that comes to life named Mike. Bryce is involved in martial arts and is in the gifted and talented education program at school. He has lots of things going for him and a very positive attitude about the future.