Max Watson loves Batman, classical music and the Beatles. The 10-year-old also loves the color yellow and being outside. He is also the first known case of Cobalamin X, a rare disease that inhibits Max from processing vitamin B12 in foods.

Just last year Max received his diagnosis, but since he was four months old, he’s dealt with health challenges including unexplained movements and profound lethargy and was diagnosed with an intractable seizure disorder. In 2004 he was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder that prevented him from normally processing proteins, before his recent Cobalamin X diagnosis.

Max, who lives in Westminster, is just one of 14 boys with Cobalamin X, and because it is so new, information is still being developed and written by doctors, and one source of information comes directly from Max’s parents, Deana and Steve, who share the experiences they have with Max with doctors.

“The doctors are really right now, writing the text book on this disease, because it’s brand new,” Deana said. “We’ve only met one other boy who has Cobalamin X, who is from Missouri, so we also talk with his parents about their son and their experiences.”

Because of Max’s health condition, he requires constant attention, several different medications and other expenses to help him continue to thrive.

To help with some of the expenses, Max’s school, Cotton Creek Elementary hosted a pancake breakfast fundraiser at Applebee’s in Broomfield. The school raised over $2,000 through ticket sales and donations to contribute to a larger campaign called Give Max a Lift, an effort to raise money to purchase an in-home lifting station for Max.

Deana was somewhat surprised by the school’s effort, but completely appreciative. She said although Max is homebound, he still does his school work every day and keeps in touch with his teachers and fellow classmates via online video chat. Max is treated like any other student, which means a lot to Deana and Steve.

“Some of his classmates live in our neighborhood and sometimes they’ll stop over to see Max or to see if he can play,” Deana said. “And that’s great. He’s always being included, which means a lot.”

To learn more about Max’s story, or to donate to his medical expenses, visit