Meisyn Ellison, a 13-year-old in Utah, adopted from China, battles the debilitating effects of her rare disease and now seeks to find her biological parents in hopes to give doctors answers, reports ECNS. Meisyn was born with spinal muscular atrophy, and unfortunately, cannot walk. As she’s gotten older, the disease has progressively become more aggressive and now doctors are even more concerned with her condition.
Spinal muscular atrophy, SMA, damages nerve cells in both the brain and spinal cord, which results in physical capabilities. As the nerves grow more damaged over time, the muscles become weaker, making everyday activities harder. It starts to take away a patient’s ability speak, smile, breath, swallow and more. It is a devastating disease, yet Meisyn and her family are fighting it. To learn more about SMA, click here.
Meisyn was adopted when she was 6-years-old by a couple from Utah, which is where they all currently reside. Not long after her adoption, she was diagnosed. While she lives with physical limitations, it doesn’t keep Meisyn from excelling in school and learning to ski! She hopes that one day she can compete in the Paralympic games.
Just recently though, doctors grew worried as her nerves continued to deteriorate rapidly. Since it is a genetic condition, doctors conducting tests on her biological parents could provide them with answers to why this is happening. Her parents agreed to the request and now are on a mission to locate Meisyn’s biological parents in hopes to bring forth a better quality of life and, if it comes to it, save her life. Her family also wants to thank her biological parents for bringing her into the world.
Thankfully, the Ellison’s are not doing it alone as they’ve garnered the support from Lishui Children’s home and they have volunteers checking all the birth information they can find from when Meisyn was born, January 5th, 2006.
If anyone has any information, they are encouraged to email: [email protected]
