South LA Toddler With Rare Genetic Disease In Need Of Wheelchair-Accessible Van

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A South Los Angeles toddler with a rare genetic disease is in need of a wheelchair-accessible van her family cannot afford.

Julie Gonzalez was born seemingly healthy to parents Juan and Lisa, but her development slowed at around 6 months. It was also then when Julie refused to eat.

Just before her first birthday, she was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disease that robs children of their ability to walk, eat and breathe.

There is no cure.

Doctors told the Gonzalezes that Julie likely wouldn't live beyond the age of 2.

"You see life differently, of course, you know when it's your child," said Lisa Gonzalez, her mother. "It's hard. I want to have her ... well ... many more years of my life."

In an effort to make each day count, Julie's parents are trying to raise money to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van.

Right now, they must travel in a small sedan. It takes them about an hour to load Julie into the car seat, take apart her wheelchair, and load her medical equipment onto the seat.

The rest of the family then has to ride in a separate car. That means Julie usually only goes out for her doctor's appointments.

"We're always taking turns, you know. Either I go somewhere and he stays home with her, or he goes somewhere and I stay home with her," Gonzalez said.

Julie's parents have dreams of taking her to the park, family barbecues and maybe even SeaWorld to celebrate her upcoming fourth birthday.

"To me, it's happiness whenever I see her smile or whenever she goes out and she's happy," she said. "You have to enjoy her the way God sent her."

An online fundraising page has been established. For more information, click here.