Erin is 7 years old, and is in the 1st Grade.  She is currently in a fight for her life, and she doesn't have much time.  She is suffering from disease of the mitochondria.  We will provide links to other sites that have a detailed explanation of the disease and it's consequences at a later date.  For now, most search engines will give you several sites with information.  You may also visit the UMDF website at www.umdf.org for more information.

In essence, the mitochondria are the part of a cell that utilizes the energy your body gets from the food you eat.  The mitochondria extract that energy and provides it to the individual cell so it may function normally.  When the process breaks down, the cells get the energy in any way they can, and the bodies muscular and skeletal structure start to degenerate.

Since she has been diagnosed at Children's Hospital, Erin has been bedridden.  She can no longer walk, and her speech is slurred.  She has difficulty controlling her movements, and her speech is slurred.  She has also started to have seizure.  However, her mind is still sharp, and she is questioning why this is happening to her.  She doesn't understand why she can't walk anymore, and why she isn't in school anymore.

Her mother Lia has had to give up her nursing job in order to provide Erin with the full time care she needs.  Her father Rick, is now the sole support for the family. 

The disease is so rare, that there are currently only two studies being done on it in the entire country.  The study at UC San Diego has moved Erin to the head of their list for entry into their program.  As exciting as this is, the program is aimed at lessening the effects of the disease.  There is no cure for her condition.