Grand Junction Toddler Maisie Forrest Gets Life-Saving Treatment
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - A beloved 19-month-old girl from Grand Junction is getting the help she desperately needs. CBS4 introduced you to Maisie in July.
On Wednesday, the family shared the news with CBS4 of Maisie receiving her transfusion at Children's Hospital of Colorado in Aurora.
"Through hard work and miracles and prayers and people, we were able to get it reversed and get her treated today," said Maisie Forrest's mom Ciji Green.
She can't speak, but can sign a few words. She can't swallow, but uses a feeding tube to get her nutrition. Maisie suffers from extremely rare genetic disease.
"She is strong, and she is a fighter," said Green. "It's so indescribable how great this is. How great this moment has been. today has just been so perfect."
Her family had been trying to raise $2.2 million for a newly-approved medical treatment. Her family's insurance previously denied to cover that treatment.
"I would love to hear her talk, that would be incredible to me," Green said.
Days later after pressure from state leaders, the family's lawyer and media coverage, the insurance company reversed that decision and will pay for the treatment that could save Maisie's life.
"It was kind of like a David and Goliath type of story where I was the small person but I needed it to be big to take on this big corporation," said Ciji .
"Spinal Muscular Atrophy was the leading genetic cause of death in children under the age of 2 until we started having new therapies. We hope that this gene will continue to produce the missing protein over a lifetime," said Dr. Julie Parsons, who has been helping families with children with SMA for 30 years. "Being able to reverse the course of this awful disorder and give her hope and opportunity to have a good quality of life is huge for me."
Maisie's family says the money raised so far will continue to be used for treatment.
"Anybody that prayed, anybody that shared anybody that donated needs to hear thank you," Green said.
