Nearly three years ago, Mattapoisett resident Nicholas Claudio was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.

In 2010, surgery to remove the tumor left him permanently blind. Nick continues to undergo chemotherapy and radiation, the side effects of which left him bald.

But there’s not much that can keep the 7th-grader down.

In addition to learning Braille, Nick has kept up with his many hobbies, including singing, skiing, swimming, and being a tough competitor in a game of cards. Last spring, he appeared as the Tin Man in Old Hammondtown School’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

His zest for life has not gone unnoticed. Nick has been named the first recipient of the Cam Neely Award for Courage. Named for the former Boston Bruins player and current president the team, the award honors individuals who courageously battle cancer.

When he heard that he was to be the first recipient of the Cam Neely award, Nick said he was shocked, to say the least. He showed off his acting chops by reenacting the scene in his family’s kitchen.

First, he was stunned into silence. Then, he began jumping and screaming.

Nick’s cancer is called choroid plexus papilloma. Nick has been a patient at Tufts Medical Center’s Floating Hospital for Children in Boston since last summer.

His visits to the hospital vary. One week, Nick might have a round of chemotherapy, the next he might have radiation every day.

While his illness is currently being treated successfully, Nick hasn’t been able to attend class at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School since the fall.

He said he is looking forward to going back to school, hopefully sometime in the spring. In the meantime, he is being tutored at home.

While he is in the hospital, Nick tries to keep busy – playing card games with other patients or hanging out with his younger sister when she visits.

A humble kid, Nick leaves it to his mom, Allison, to share how the representatives at Tufts and the Cam Neely Foundation selected him to be the award recipient.

“He really won them over with his personality,” Allison said. “They’re amazed at his ability to remain positive.”

Sarah Pratt, Manager of Philanthropic Communications and Marketing for Tufts Medical Center, agreed.

“We were thinking of kids that we knew exemplified courage and he quickly came to mind,” Pratt said. “He’s just a regular kid. He doesn’t want to be treated any differently and he doesn’t view his loss of sight as a disability. He’s outgoing.”

Public relations representatives from Tufts have been following Nick around with a video camera to film a short documentary of his life. The film, which is not yet finished, will be aired at the awards ceremony on March 7.

Nick is also recording a few songs on a CD that will be used to raise money for the hospital.

On singing, Nick said, “It’s fun. I just like to do it and not because I want to be famous.”

As for his upcoming meeting with Neely at the awards ceremony in March, Nick said he is going to keep his acceptance speech short and sweet.

“I’ll just want to say thanks and nice to meet you.”