Little Boy with Disability in Inspiring Video
HENDRICKS: We are all guilty of it to some extent, taking the simple things in life for granted every day. But one four-year-old California boy could change your outlook on life, and it's all because this viral video. Take a look.</s>JENNIFER STEVENS, GAVIN'S MOTHER: Come on, find the curb.</s>GAVIN STEVENS, BOY WITH SEVERE VISION IMPAIRMENT: Where's the curb?</s>JENNIFER STEVENS: Find it. You got it. You got it.</s>GAVIN STEVENS: I can do it.</s>JENNIFER STEVENS: You can do it.</s>GAVIN STEVENS: I can do it.</s>JENNIFER STEVENS: You can do it, baby, go ahead. You're safe. Good job. You got it. Turn. Good job. I'm so proud of you.</s>HENDRICKS: That is Gavin Stevens. He was diagnosed with an extremely rare retina disorder in 2009 at just six months old left him nearly blind with no cure. But there's no stopping Gavin and his passion to live his life like any other kid, to challenge himself one small step at a time. His mom Jennifer documented this major steppingstone in Gavin's growth last week conquering his fear of curbs. The video has inspired thousands of people all over, including myself. We wanted to invite them on our show to share their story. Joining me now four-year-old Gavin along with his parents Jennifer and Troy. Thank you all for being here.</s>JENNIFER STEVENS: Thank you, Susan.</s>TROY STEVENS, GAVIN'S FATHER: Thanks for having us.</s>GAVIN STEVENS: Thank you, Susan.</s>HENDRICKS: Gavin, way to go, how did you feel making it over that curb?</s>GAVIN STEVENS: Um, I was OK.</s>HENDRICKS: Were you a little bit afraid?</s>GAVIN STEVENS: Yes.</s>HENDRICKS: What made you finally in your mind think I can do this? Did your mom help you out?</s>GAVIN STEVENS: I did it by myself.</s>HENDRICKS: Wow. And we saw it firsthand. Jennifer, the moment you captured there is beyond inspiring. I tear up when I see it. Was it hard for you, Jennifer to hold back and not assist your son down the curb?</s>JENNIFER STEVENS: Yes. Originally, I did -- I was holding his hands because he hadn't really gone down that curb particularly. That's the curb out of his school. He had not gone down that independently. And so I was holding his hand and that day he told me, no, I can do it. He literally pushed me away and I said, OK. So I grabbed my camera and I shot that video.</s>HENDRICKS: Well, it is touching, and I love when he says I can do it, I can do it. Troy, as his father, tell me about how it's been on the family and also explain the genetic eye disorder. How rare is it?</s>TROY STEVENS: Well, the eye disorder itself is very rare. There's only 3,000 people in the country that have LACE. And even more rare in Gavin's gene mutation, there's only about 150 cases of it in the nation. So it's very rare.</s>HENDRICKS: And Jennifer, you and troy have been raising money for research that could lead to a possible cure. Talk to me about the foundation. I love the name, by the way, Gavin's Groupies. Tell us about that.</s>JENNIFER STEVENS: Thank you. Yes, our Gavin's groupies are basically all of our supporters and our friends and family. Hi, guys. The Gavin R. Stevens Foundation, we started it because we felt we need to do something and need to heal. And the only way to do that is just spread awareness there's a very rare condition that affects our son and get the name out there and try to just do the best we can with the situation we were dealt with and try to make the best of it. And so we're just fund raising and fund raising and fund raising with hopes that we can be in a clinical trial for this particular gene and for it in general. There's children and individuals who live with this. And we're doing this all for them, as well.</s>HENDRICKS: I'll put it on my Facebook page and tweet it, as well. Gavin, I understand you're a singer and you like to play the piano is that right, Gavin?</s>GAVIN STEVENS: Yes.</s>HENDRICKS: Well, you're good at it too. We're going to hear some of your singing right here.</s>HENDRICKS: Is that Bruno Mars, Gavin? Is that one of your favorites?</s>GAVIN STEVENS: Yes.</s>HENDRICKS: Who else do you like? Do you like playing the piano, Gavin? He's really good at it too.</s>GAVIN STEVENS: Yes.</s>JENNIFER STEVENS: He's listening to the piano.</s>HENDRICKS: How did he get into music, Jennifer?</s>JENNIFER STEVENS: You know, basically -- when he was months old -- I mean weeks old, I think, he just music was just -- he would hear music and a different side of our boy would come to life. I can't even put it into words. We -- it would make him happy, he would lay on the floor as a baby and just kick his feet. He couldn't even talk. And, you know, punched his little arms in the air and just wiggle around as a baby and it's continued to be his passion. He absolutely loves music. It's his life.</s>HENDRICKS: Gavin, is that what you want to do when you get older? Would you like to sing more and pursue a career maybe?</s>GAVIN STEVENS: Yes.</s>HENDRICKS: Well, you're off to a great start. It was great meeting all of you. And again, we hope that we can bring some knowledge to the general public about this so you can raise the funds that are needed. And Gavin is such an inspiration.</s>JENNIFER STEVENS: Thank you.</s>HENDRICKS: Jennifer, Troy, and Gavin, great to talk to you, nice to meet you. I'm sorry?</s>GAVIN STEVENS: Are you home?</s>HENDRICKS: I'm going home soon.</s>HENDRICKS: Gavin, nice to meet you. Good job, by the way.</s>JENNIFER STEVENS: Say "thank you."</s>GAVIN STEVENS: Thank you.</s>JENNIFER STEVENS: Thank you, Susan. We appreciate it.</s>HENDRICKS: He's the cutest. We appreciate it too for coming on. Well, a must-see Friday night slam dunk and a big loss that could change how your March madness bracket looks. That's next.