Las Vegas Weekly

August 29, 2008 · 10:10 AM

Siegfried & Roy make a VIP hero out of ‘the boy who can’t be hugged’

By Robin Leach

One touch of schoolboy James Dunn by another human can cause an entire layer of his skin to peel away. Even his mother, Lesley, can’t hug her 15-year-old son. James suffers from a rare disease known as Recessive Dystrophic EB, which causes his skin to blister severely and then become open wounds. But the Liverpool, England, youngster is about to have a long-time dream fulfilled, thanks to our hometown illusionists Siegfried & Roy.

The boy will be their special VIP guest at a tribute honoring them in the prestigious London palladium theater in the British capital next month. Funds from the glittering gala will go to EB sufferers. Roy learned of the teenager’s rare disease and courageous battle, and insisted that he sit alongside them at the event.

James said: “I can’t do any magic but I love magic shows because they take my mind off the pain. Siegfried & Roy were always my heroes and I always wanted to see them but it was too far to travel to Las Vegas. Now though, they’ve made my dream come true by inviting me to join them in London.”

It's not yet officially confirmed but it's expected that the Queen of England and other members of the British Royal Family will meet Siegfried & Roy at the Palladium event.

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