By Tom Vartabedian
Staff Writer

     Nicholas Martinez is like most boys his age. He can scoot up a rock-climbing wall, play guitar and even box in a ring.

     What sets him apart is his disability.

     The 9-year-old has been without vision since birth, but you'd never know it at first glance because he disguises it well.

     Walk into a school playground and you'll see the youngster happily engaged in activity. And his classroom work earns him a "B" average, thought it could be higher if he had the right tools.

     Nicholas needs a braille writer --- a type of word processor that hooks up to the computer and helps with schoolwork because it allows better access to the Internet.

     So the Haverhill Lions Club, which assisted Martinez in the past by subsidizing a trip to California for a National Braille Competition, is stepping forward once again to help the youth.

     The club will help him get his $5,200 braille writer by sponsoring a benefit dance Nov. 5 at Haverhill AmVets Post, 576 Primrose St.

     Free salsa lessons will be offered from 7-8 p.m., followed by open dancing. Donations are welcome. Details, Jane E. Sweeney, immediate past president, (978) 372-8322.

     "The boy's mother came to us with a request for help," said Sweeney. "The braille writer is the best thing that's out there. Ideally, we'd love to assist others like him. We know they're out there."

     The child is a Grade 4 student at Bradford Elementary School and the son of Jose and Gladys Martinez of Haverhill. A 5-year-old brother Mathieu has healthy vision.

     Nicholas was enrolled in the Northeast Family YMCA's rock-climbing program and quickly made his ascent to the ceiling. At costume parties, you'll usually find him dressed as spiderman. He's "seen" the films through descriptive videos made especially for the sightless.

     "He'd love to climb a mountain but he settles for the trees in our yard," said his mother. "We call him our little hero. Regardless of his impairment, he's brave, independent and very bold. As far as we're concerned, he's living a normal life."

     The family attends River of Life Church, where Martinez is music director and Nicholas a Sunday School student. Music and religion are very much a part of the boy's life.

     "He doesn't treat blindness as an impairment," the mother said. "It's a way of life for him. Nicholas is a role model for other children with disabilities."