12-Year-Old Dances at Colorado Mall to Raise Money for Twin Brother with Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy: 'I Want Him to Get Better'

When 12-year-old Domini’Q Brice dances, every move is for his twin brother, D’Marcus.

D’Marcus Brice was born withhydrocephalus, a condition that results in a build-up of fluid in the brain, causing permanent brain damage. Among a long list of ailments, the seventh grader’s underlying diagnoses areepilepsyandcerebral palsy– rendering him unable to eat, speak or walk on his own.

Locals can catch the 12-year-old dancing toDrake‘sHotline Blingand Big Sean‘s “One Man Can Change the World,” nearly every day at Denver, Colorado’s16th Street Mall.

Tesa says Domini’Q came up with the idea to raise money for his brother all on his own.

“When he found out we were having a hard time monetarily, he was like ‘I want to do something!’ ” Brice, who is D’Marcus’ full-time caretaker, says. “He asked if he could go to the mall and dance for people to try and raise money. I cry every time I see what he’s doing.”

D’Marcus, who experiences a minimum of 10 seizures a day – ranging from grand mal to smaller convulsions – began having longer and more frequent episodes as he got older.

“Doctors were telling us there was nothing left to give my son a more peaceful life,” says Tesa. “We started doing research and found out about Charlotte’s Web, which is a cannabis oil. We thought it might improve his happiness.”

SinceCW Botanicals– creators of the cannabinoid elixir – gave D’Marcus a free-of-charge trial bottle three weeks ago, he only has five seizures a day and “smiles at his family all the time.”

“His cognitive levels have improved drastically,” says Tesa. “I dropped my phone the other day and his eyes followed the phone as I picked it up! It was such a huge improvement, it brought tears to my eyes.”

Jesse Stanley, director of new product development atCW Botanicals, says stories like D’Marcus’ are why he and his four brothers founded the company in the first place.

“It’s humbling and an honor to be a part of their story,” Stanley, 34, tells PEOPLE. “We’re here to help people, it’s why we got into this industry. Charlotte’s Web so often helps reduce seizures and we see kids walk and talk for the first time. We’re looking into providing the family with a year’s supply.”

With the new treatment working so well, Domini’Q has become even more determined to raise money, and he hopes to get enough funds for “a lifetime supply” of Charlotte’s Web for his brother.

Recent clinical trialfindings unveiled at the American Epilepsy Society’s 69th meeting in early December suggest that products with CBD just might improve the lives of those with epilepsy.

Denver resident Sherry Henderson, 38, says she was inspired to give money to Domini’Q after hearing his story and seeing his “passionate dancing.”

“Domini’Q feels like he is his brother’s keeper and it’s his responsibility – no matter how big or small – to do what he can to look after him,” Henderson, a host-home provider in Denver, Colorado, tells PEOPLE. “He could be playing video games or running the streets, but he’s not. And he’s not keeping any money, he’s doing it all for his brother.”

“I just love my brother so much, and I want him to get better,” Domini’Q tells PEOPLE. “I’m dancing out there to raise money for his medicine.”

The 12-year-old adds, “When my brother hears me dance, it makes him smile. He loves a good beat. I’m so happy I’m able to help my family out and do my part.”

source: people.com