Source: Kypost
LOVELAND, Ohio — Elmer and Kristen Latchford met in 2005, fell in love in 2007, then had a baby by 2009.
Emmalyn Kae Latchford was born on July 12, 2009. It was two months later they knew something wasn’t right.
“She wasn’t really looking at us and holding a stare like a normal baby would. Her eyes were always moving around and wandering and they bounced,” said Kristen.
Elmer said he also noticed something. “We would hold her and play with her and she would gaze away.”
After getting a referral from their pediatrician, an opthamologist made the diagnosis. Emmalyn has a condition called optic nerve hypoplasia. The condition develops in the first trimester of pregnancy when the optic nerve doesn’t form completely. Baby Emmy can see light, but is most likely blind. Doctors told the Latchfords there wasn’t a cure.
“Not thinking there is anything you can do for your child in this day and age in America and there is nothing you can do for your child. It’s the worst feeling in the world,” said Kristen.
Kristen spent hours researching the condition on the Internet until one night she found a news report from Missouri. The report was about a 6-year-old who was the first person in the world with optic-nerve hypoplasia to receive stem cell treatments, and regained sight.
“I didn’t want to believe it at first. You don’t think, because we were told there is no cure for it, and she just stumbled along this and seen this, and these real stories come out, and these treatments and they are really helping these children,” said Elmer.
After some research and consultation with their pediatrician, they applied and were accepted for stem cell treatment in China. The procedure uses stem cells taken from the umbilical cord, and is not available in the United States.
“Its not a cure but it works. As parents, we want to be able to do anything and everything we can for our child,” said Elmer.
“There’s hope, that it’s coming and we just want to raise awareness and they are not alone,” said Kristen.
Insurance does not cover the experimental treatment, the six procedures will cost at least $35,000. The Latchfords hope to raise the money then travel to China by as early as this spring.
