A hospital worker in the Chicago area had approached the parents of young Ian Michael Smith about his auditioning for the leading role in a soon-to-filmed motion picture. Like the film's hero, Smith is afflicted with Morquio Syndrome, a rare enzyme disorder that affects the circulatory, muscular and skeletal systems. The Smiths were concerned about exploitation but after reading the novel on which the film was based agreed to allow their son to audition. Although he eventually lost on that role (the film was "The Mighty" and Kieran Culkin landed the part), Smith was recommended for another
