5-year-old battling kidney disease celebrates unforgettable birthday
Family receives an outpouring of birthday gifts and decorations from strangers near and far
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A local mom says being a parent to a special needs child can be lonely, especially during cold and flu season.
Now the coronavirus has complicated things even more.
Five-year-old Amelia Brown has a chronic kidney disease.
She was born with one kidney that was undersized and cystic.
In recent weeks the condition started affecting her heart.
Mother, Rebecca Brown, said, “We know that she probably doesn’t have much longer.”
May 27 is Amelia's birthday.
She’s obsessed with the Netflix animated film The Willoughby's, it's just as bright and colorful as her custom birthday dress.
“The underlying message is that we all need each other and everything is better when we’re together and when we do things together," the family said.
Unfortunately, Amelia’s family members from around the country were unable to travel to Yuma to celebrate with her this year due to quarantine.
So, her mom decided to throw her a Willoughby Candyland themed birthday party, asking friends on Facebook if they could spare a few decorations.
Within days, an outpouring of gifts came in addressed from places like New York, Rhode Island, Oregon, St. Louis, and even as far as Belgium, Europe.
The family’s home transformed into a kaleidoscopic wonderland, with life-size inflatable gummy bears, dinosaurs, and over a hundred funky ornaments and trinkets.
Some are even customized especially for Amelia.
“I can’t even describe how it feels knowing that there’s that many loving and caring people out there, and total strangers too. Not just this is overwhelming but just the outpouring of support and messages that we’ve received,” Rebecca said.
Amelia's older sister, Ella, said, "I hope she remembers this always. I know that she loves her family and her sisters and we'll make this special for her, not just a birthday.”
Rebecca hopes by Christmas, she can pass along some of the decorations to other children with special needs.
If anyone is interested in singing 'happy birthday' to Amelia, Wednesday at 6 pm the family will have a Zoom birthday party.
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