Zailynn Mars (Photo : Twitter )
The father and mother of a terminally-ill infant girl have made a bucket list after doctors gave her a spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) diagnosis, which limited her lifespan to another two years. The 8-month-old has a genetic disorder. People are helping her parents check off items on the list that includes experiences and memories they believe every kid should have.
SMA is a group of genetic diseases that usually shows symptoms in infants and toddlers. It involves the weakening of muscle tissue due to affected nerve cells.
Baby Zailynn was diagnosed in August with type 1 SMA. Due to the disease's effects on her spinal cord she cannot walk around, eat food, or breathe air.
The baby's parents are Cory and Kati Mars, and her 3-year-old brother is Xzander, according to People. Cory Mars told ABC News that getting help with the bucket list shows that there are good people in the world, and provides his daughter with happy things.
Mars wants to give Zailynn the best quality of life possible through the 48-item bucket list. He hopes she will be happy and have fun.
Mars walked his daughter down the aisle at a friend's wedding as he would have on her own wedding day, according to ABC News. Santa Claus has also visited Baby Zailynn.
Friends and relatives will soon hold a mock prom dance for her and take photos before the big event. It will be held at the family's local church.
The little girl's Facebook-posted bucket list includes many other items. They include visiting a farm and going to the zoo.
Her father explained that the goal of the to-do list is to enjoy every moment he has left with his daughter. He also wants to increase the public's awareness of SMA.
Mars described his daughter Zailynn as a very happy baby who giggles when she is around other children, and smiles when people look at her inside a stroller. She is a "daddy's girl."
