Saturday afternoon a crowd gathered at Osceola Grace Brethren Church to celebrate Ella Hunt's first birthday. Speaking to that crowd Ella's mother, Erica, said, "My daughter turning one is nothing short of a miracle." It's a miracle because Ella has spinal muscular atrophy. This means she has very limited mobility. There's no cure and 80% of children with the disease don't live until their first birthday. 90% don't live until their second birthday. "With her disease we could be in the emergency room tonight. We could be planning a funeral in a couple days and that's just our reality," said Erica Hunt.
Saturday they were just celebrating their little girls life with a big birthday bash. Because of her disease they've held birthday parties every month for Ella. But they went all out for her one year milestone. At the church there was a clown, face painting, massages, ice cream sundaes, and more to celebrate. Ella's parents are just ecstatic they get to celebrate this birthday. "It's amazing, it's a miracle, it's beyond words, it's just super duper exciting," said Dan Hunt
August is SMA Awareness month so every dollar donated to the cause is tripled. Erica and Dan ask people to visit http://www.sophiascure.org/ to donate. You can also watch the MDA Show of Strength on FOX28 and make your donations. That show will be September 2nd from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
