A young girl was left unable to walk or eat after a sudden and unexpected diagnosis.
In 2019, 6-year-old Isla Landry was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick type c, a rare and progressive inherited disease that causes the liver, spleen, or lungs to accumulate cholesterol and other fats and affects major organs including the brain.
As the girl’s family was told at the time of the diagnosis, the child’s prognosis was that she likely won’t survive long enough to celebrate her 13th birthday.
Three years after the shock diagnosis, the girl has been placed in palliative care to seek relief from the symptoms of her terminal illness.
“The disease has taken over Isla’s brain so much she has lost the ability to walk. She has lost so much strength she can’t put one foot in front of the other, and can’t stand up. She’s not able to eat by mouth, so she’s on a tube that goes straight to her stomach,” the girl’s heartbroken dad, Darren, revealed.
“We have come to the point where we have touched base with palliative care, and they’re taking over for however long that may be.”
The proud dad added: “A few months ago, Isla was given a maximum of six years. But when we spoke to the palliative care team on Friday, they said this was a very optimistic outlook. She has regressed so much.
“Time is of the essence now. We need to make as much memories as we can while we have the chance.”
Darren and the girl’s stepmom, Katie Kelleher, have since also launched a fundraiser in hopes of collecting enough money to renovate their home to suit Isla’s special needs.
The funds will reportedly be used to convert the ground floor of the house and provide wheelchair accessibility throughout the home.
“Isla is such an amazing beautiful happy girl and no matter what life throws at her she powers through like the true warrior princess she is,” Darren added on the page.
“I can’t tell you how this news of Islas life expectancy has hit us. It doesn’t feel real but we have to keep going and we have to live each day like it’s her last. She gives us the strength we need each day just from her smiles and we just want to give her the best quality of life we possibly can.”
Our thoughts are with Isla and her family during this challenging time.
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