Argentinian couple moves to US to allow their toddler to join gene therapy trial

Ciro Lovato is seeing improvement after receiving treatment at Dayton Children’s hospital. Photograph: Courtesy of GoFundMe

The birth of their first child three and a half years ago completed Natalia and Juan Lovato’s lives. Both from Argentina, Juan was a professional soccer player in Guatemala, where Natalia ran a successful Argentinian restaurant.

Soon, however, they noticed their son Ciro couldn’t hold up his head. Then, they were alarmed that he wasn’t making eye contact.