Young Girl With Dementia May Celebrate Her Last Christmas ‘Fading In Front Of’ Her Parents’ Eyes

Dec 17, 2023

Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year as people, especially children, gather together to receive gifts and celebrate the special occasion with their loved ones. However, this is not the case for a couple named Hayley and Dave, as their daughter might be celebrating the last holiday with them due to a rare illness.

According to an article published by the Daily Mirror in December 2023, the couple's daughter Addy, who was seven years old at the time, was suffering from a rare condition called Batten Disease, also known as childhood dementia.

According to CHOC, patients who battle this disease will have symptoms such as delays in speech then they will eventually lose their motor skills. They are also prone to visual impairment, seizures, and eventual death.

Hayley said in an interview with the outlet that the condition little Addy had suffered from was "worse than the worst-case scenario."

In a heartbreaking turn of events, the couple was aware that Christmas in 2023 might be the last time they would celebrate the holiday season with their beloved child.

"We are acutely aware this Christmas is probably going to be the last one Addy can see. Our daughter is fading in front of our eyes," Hayley said.

Since her condition was very unpredictable, the mom noted that they were unsure of what was about to happen next, so they spent all the time they had with the young girl as they still had time left with her.

She explained that they are "just trying to live and make the most of what's in our lap at this point."

Before Addy's illness took over her body, her family explained that she was very healthy and energetic like any other child out there, and some of her favorite things to do were riding her scooter and building sandcastles.

Unfortunately, the one-energetic little girl faded away after a series of seizures; then, they eventually found out that she had Batten disease.

Her story was also shared on the children's hospice called Julia's House, where she was staying. The post noted that the young girl lost the ability to eat and even walk on her own; the situation even got worse as her vision started to deteriorate.

In a video shared on Julia's House's YouTube channel, a nurse from the hospice named Sam explained that Addy's condition is degenerative and she will "slowly lose more mobility and her sight," and things will be more difficult for her and the family.

Fortunately, the hospice was there to help the family every step of the way; as Hayley said, as reported by BBC, "They have walked through a journey with us where we have been losing things with Addy. They've been there as Addy has stopped walking by herself, stopped eating."

Addy might be the one who had the condition, but its effect was also felt within her family members, as it was hard for them to accept that their daughter was slowly fading away.

"This horrible disease has stolen the Addy we knew. It feels like the little girl in the photos on my wall is not my child anymore. I remember my husband dissolving into tears and saying we're going to have to bury our daughter," Hayley said.

What do you think of Addy's unfortunate situation? What would you do if you were in her parents' position? Let us know your thoughts, and make sure to pass this on to your friends and family.