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'Superhero Surgery' Could Keep 4-Year-Old On His Feet

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- An Aurora preschooler and his family are asking for helping paying for his "superhero surgery." Doctors diagnosed Luciano, now 4 years old, with spastic diplegia in January 2018.

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(credit: CBS)

The lifelong condition is a type of cerebral palsy that stiffens legs, twists knees and ankles inward and can make walking difficult.

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Friends and family members are working to raise money for a costly set of surgeries that could keep Luciano from becoming wheelchair bound.

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"He's like, 'So it's going to make me as fast as Flash… as strong as Hulk… as brave as Batman,'" said Luciano's mom, Mercedes Ramirez-Comenero. "And he goes, 'I got this.' So we kind of turned it into something positive."

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Mercedes Ramirez-Comenero (credit: CBS)

A specialist in Missouri has approved two operations that could keep him out of his splints and walking on his own, his mom explained.

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The surgeries' cost, however, totals nearly $50,000.

Supporters started an online fundraiser that has so far raised more than $16,000. While holding out hope, Luciano's family is staying strong.

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"I see him so positive and my daughter so positive too. She's so encouraging to him," said Ramirez-Comenero.

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Insurance, she said, does not cover the cost of the out-of-state surgery, which she felt was the best option for her son.

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(credit: CBS)

LINK: GoFundMe for Luciano

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