A Minnesota mother seeks help after learning that her young boy has a terminal illness.
Kianna McBride found out on June 30 that her then 7-month-old baby, Dallas, was diagnosed with Canavan disease, an extremely rare neurological syndrome that usually occurs in infants between 3 and 6 months of age.
According to McBride, there are only 300-500 documented cases of Canavan disease worldwide. The disorder is fatal. McBride said doctors told her children with the disease would likely die in infancy or early childhood.
McBride launched a GoFundMe campaign to help her family – Dallas’ father and three sisters – bring Dallas the best possible life.
“Donations are used for his medical expenses and other necessities that are deemed medically unnecessary (handicapped accessible vehicle for his wheelchair, ramp to access our house), his lost wages and reminders that we as a family can cherish.”
Dallas is already suffering from symptoms caused by the disorder. McBride says her son is expected to experience “seizures, blindness, difficulty eating solid foods or swallowing liquids, an abnormal increase in muscle stiffness that makes him unable to move voluntarily”.
At 10 months, Dallas cannot sit, crawl, or turn around. He is struggling to control his head and, over the past month, the rapid progression of the disease has resulted in loss of vision and “uncontrollable tension and stiffening of his muscles”.
McBride says that despite the frustration of having no control over his body, Dallas finds a way to smile and laugh, describing his demeanor as real, pure, and contagious.
“We don’t know how much time we have with him or how quickly this disease will progress. We just know that one day, far too soon, God will take Dallas to heaven and we will face unimaginable pain.” to say goodbye to our only son and little brother, “wrote McBride.
“This family is devastated, my girls are devastated, and we need your help to make the absolute BEST of the time we have on earth with our precious little boy.”
To donate, click here.
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