WEST KELOWNA — The Carins’ are all ready for Christmas. The young family of 5 has their tree decked out and the kids are bursting with excitement.
You can’t wipe the smile off of 5-year-old Seattle’s face, even though everyday for her is a struggle.
“She wakes up quite frequently in the middle of the night screaming in pain” says mother, Lindsay Cairns.
At just 15 months old Seattle’s spinal cord became inflamed, initially paralyzing her from the neck down.
She was diagnosed with a rare condition called Transverse myelitis, so rare it only affects one in a million, so rare it isn’t covered by Canadian medical.
Seattle underwent intense therapy, regaining the ability to walk.
Shriners Hospital in Portland, where Seattle now goes for treatment, is covering most of the cost of upcoming leg surgery but when it comes to everyday care it’s the family footing the bill.
The Carins’ have already shelled out tens of thousands of dollars and will have to spend tens of thousands more for Seattle’s leg braces, a much needed wheelchair and ongoing physio therapy.
Seattle’s immune system is also severely weakened.
“Whenever she has a cold or a UTI, she loses all feeling again and needs to be hospitalized it’s very scary that the Transverse myelitis could be coming back,” says Cairns.
But overcoming more in 5 years than most of us deal with in a lifetime, Seattle’s fighting spirit shines through.
“She never gives up…if she falls she gets right back up and keeps on going.”
If you want to learn more about Seattle or information on how you can help you can go to the family’s facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/seattlesmomma4transversemyelitis or fundraising website:
http://www.gofundme.com/5dy7dw.
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