Family works to raise awareness about rare Lafora disease A mother from Belleville is hoping to raise awareness about Lafora, a rare genetic disease, after two of her sons were diagnosed with it. One of her songs has died, while another son is in the late stages of the disease. As Rare Diease Day approaches, a Belleville mother is hoping to raise awareness about a disease two of her sons have battled. Gigi, 16, is in the late stages of Lafora body disease.