Local Restaurant Helps Terminally Ill Toddler
PEMBROKE PINES (CBS4) - At 2 ½ years old, Hannah Minter sports bright blue eyes and a heart-warming smile.
Seven months ago Hannah was a normal healthy 2-year-old. The family said she conquered all the childhood milestones without any reason to worry.
"All of a sudden she couldn't walk without holding onto something," her mom Jessica Minter said. "And then she started only crawling and she was scooting herself and she could not feed herself."
After months of countless doctors visits, an MRI showed Hannah has a rare disease called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy or MLD – it's the degeneration of white matter in her brain and central nervous system and it's a fatal disease.
"Everything stops. Everything regresses and they say she will go blind and potentially deaf and then she will pass," Jessica said.
As of last month Hannah can no longer sit, stand, walk or talk. When she lost the ability to swallow, she was taken to the hospital again.
In order to help Hannah's family, all day Tuesday, Nov. 2, the Pines Ale House at 11795 Pines Blvd. in Pembroke Pines will donate to them 10 percent of every check, for both take out and dine in. That's where both of her parents work as servers.
Hannah's 4-year-old brother Aidan does not have the disease. For her parents, Jessica and Chris everyday with Hannah is cherished. Recently the family traveled to Disney World thanks to the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Her parents have spent a limited time at work due to all the doctors and hospital visits. Donations are welcome or participate in the Ale House fundraiser by saying you're there to support Hannah.
"This sounds horrible," said Jessica, "but we started a bucket list for her to try to put the most into everyday we have. That's all we can do."
Hannah's father Chris Minter said he hopes Tuesday's effort will help raise awareness.
"We really want to make sure people have the knowledge to get their kids tested. We didn't know," he said.
In January, Hannah's family is taking her to North Carolina so that she can see snow for the first time.
For more information about MLD, click here.
