As many of you know, my sister Kylie and her husband Bryan, have battled infertility issues and multiple miscarriages over a 10 year journey and lost their first adoptive daughter, Rollins, at 22 weeks during the birth mother's pregnancy, to Turner's Disease. 

After many years of being on an emotional and financially draining roller coaster, the devastating news led Kylie and Bryan to the heart breaking decision of pulling their profile from the adoption agency and accepting that the dream of parenthood just wasn't in the cards for them.

At that exact moment, a miracle/blessing presented itself. The adoption agency informed them that they had one more family to present their profile to. That family gave Kylie and Bryan the ultimate gift, the gift of parenthood.  Our family welcomed a beautiful, healthy baby girl, MaKenzie Elizabeth Burleson, on September 16th, 2017. A dream come true for Kylie, Bryan and our entire family. 

9 weeks later, at MaKenzie's checkup, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 1 (SMA).  SMA is a disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants. www.curesma.org

For the duration of MaK's life, she will require a Bi-Pap for breathing and a g-tube for feeding/nutrition. She also requires a medical wheelchair/stroller and a standing frame, as she will never be able to experience life, as you and I know it. 

Starting this summer, MaK (MaK-N-Cheese, MaK-E-Moo, MaK Attack, etc.) will have to travel to Jackson, Mississippi for her Spinraza treatments. Spinraza is the medication that is administered through a spinal tap every 3 months, to help keep her alive and fighting for improvements.

A modified vehicle will make these trips, plus daily transport, a game changer for MaKenzie and her parents. 

The need for a modified/handicap vehicle is quickly approaching. The cost of a vehicle modification is roughly $35,000 plus the expense of purchasing a vehicle. 

With Kylie not being able to return to work full time due to the care MaK requires, they simply can not afford the cost of a vehicle modification.  Sadly (more along the lines of shocking/disgusting) , they do not qualify for any state or federal assistance, believe it or not.

If you are able to contribute, they will be forever grateful.

Anything will help to continue to give our little fighter, the care and treatment that she deserves.