During the first year, Peyton appeared to have developed normally. But after her third birthday, she cried as her vision became blurry while she was watching tv.
Assuming that she was tired, her father tucked her in bed. When the next morning arrived, Peyton lost her voice and couldn’t even say “good morning”.
Within seconds, she was twitching with her eyes rolled back. She had a seizure and was struggling to breathe. Shocked, her father rushed her to the hospital and he sobbed as he waited outside the emergency department:
“I feel useless as a father and a doctor. Last night after Peyton was having trouble with her eyes...”
“I should have taken her to the hospital immediately for a checkup.”
“My wife is probably disappointed in me.”
-Dr. Wallace, 54, Father
Soon after, doctors diagnosed Peyton with Autism and they prescribed some mood stabilizers. However, it turns out that it was not autism after all. Now, Peyton doesn’t even know her name anymore.
What’s even sadder is that she no longer recognizes her father. Eventually, Peyton had trouble swallowing and had to rely on a feeding tube.
Not only that, but she couldn’t listen to or sing her favorite songs anymore and she is stuck in bed or in a wheelchair now.
To uncover what is causing all of this, Peyton was transferred to a more advanced hospital and her brain scans revealed something more serious.
“Her official diagnosis is Sanfilippo syndrome or childhood dementia. This disease is not just about memory loss as it will eventually cause her to lose all her bodily functions.”
“So far, other children with this condition have not reached adulthood. We could only ask her father to prepare for the worse.”
-Dr. Rogers, Pediatric Neurologist
After her father received the shocking news, he broke down:
“I might not be able to see her graduate and walk down the aisle.”
“Day by day, my precious girl is fading away but I knew that I couldn’t disappoint my wife anymore. So, I must not give up. I am a doctor for a reason and I will do anything to save Peyton.”
-Dr. Wallace, 54, Father