​Parys is a young, vibrant 13-year-old girl who has been battling allergy, infections, pneumonia, eczema, chronic cough, ear infections, constant congestion along with wart, molluscum and many other infections. Until about 3 years ago I have been going to every kind of Doctor and specialist trying to figure out what was going on with our beautiful daughter. Then after what we thought was a bite or something on her toe had grown into what looked like a wart gone very wrong the dermatologist biopsied it and sent it back to The National Institute of Health in Maryland where it was found she had a very rare (so new they are still compiling Data on the disease called Dock8 deficiency) which means she is missing a genetic component that weakens her immune system so much.  Her white blood cell count is so low she is constantly sick to the point that now our beautiful daughter has been given no choice but to go through a Bone Marrow Transplant and Chemotherapy. 

Three and half year-old Levi was diagnosed in 2011 with a Crainopharyngioma tumor that was causing pressure on his brain.  A team of Rady physicians was able to remove the mass, but the operation resected his pituitary gland, creating a condition called panhypopituitarism.  This condition has created a lifelong challenge to keep Levi’s body in proper balance, resulting in ongoing emergency room visits and short stays in the hospital, even with the synthetic hormone treatments he must take. Along with his pituitary gland, Levi’s vision has been highly affected, and he is now blind in his right eye. In addition, Levi’s brain was damaged in a small area that shared blood supply with his tumor, so he has lost use of the left side of his body.  Levi goes to physical and occupational therapy twice per week to help him further recover, and Equine therapy has proven beneficial in many ways. The family is seeking help from the Mitchell Thorp Foundation to help meet their $9,000 medical insurance deductible and to help pay for the Equine and other alternative therapy costs that have shown positive results.  To view Levi's personal blog click on the link below.
http://www.lovinglevidaniel.blogspot.com/