For one grateful family, nothing trivial about helping

When a Somerville infant became severely disabled at three weeks old, his parents made a decision that has guided their lives ever since.

Stephen and Debby Higgins would do everything in their power to make sure Brian had the fullest life possible.

For the nine years he was alive, he went everywhere with his parents, despite being blind, in a wheelchair, and unable to speak or eat on his own.

When Brian died in 2002, his parents knew they wanted to use what they had learned about having a special needs child to help others.

Alderman Bruce Desmond, a friend, suggested they create a trivia fund-raiser . On March 22, they will host the fifth annual Brian Higgins Trivia Night, when more than 700 people are expected to compete in a contest that is expected to raise $25,000 for local special needs kids and their families.

School principals and administrators, aldermen, the mayor, and Brian's pediatrician usually show up, as do the couple's extended family. An aunt and uncle fly in from California.

"It has just snowballed," Debby Higgins said. Last year, "we had to turn people away because we ran out of room."

The couple and their friends put on the event with donations. Good Times Emporium hosts the event and donates dinner. Desmond serves as the MC. Another friend, Joanne O'Leary, writes the trivia questions.

O'Leary said she didn't realize how much insurance won't cover for special needs children and how hard families have to work to get what they need. The Brian Higgins Fund is an important resource for those families, she said.

Stephen and Debby Higgins distribute the money, mostly to Somerville families, on a case-by-case basis. Therapists and caseworkers often contact them about families, and others also make referrals, Debby Higgins said. "I will never forget what people did for Brian, so it's really nice to be able to give back," she said.

The Brian Higgins Trivia Night is March 22 at Good Times Emporium. A buffet dinner starts at 6 p.m. An individual entry costs $25 and sponsoring a table of up to 10 people is $250. To register go to brianhigginsfoundation.org. Space is limited.