Family Creates Bucket List for Terminally Ill Baby

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Nov 05, 2015

Family Creates Bucket List for Terminally Ill Baby

A family who has an infant daughter with a terminal illness has created a bucket list of things they want her to experience.

ABC News reports that Zailynn Mars, born to Cory and Katie Mars of Neenah, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy that doctors say gives her only two years to live.

To allow Zailynn to experience life to the fullest, Cory and Katie Mars have created a bucket list for her. The list includes going to Disneyland, visiting the ocean, going to the zoo, and making a snow angel.

“Mainly we are trying to create memories for our daughter that every kid should experience," dad Cory Mars said. "People have been helping us check things off her bucket list. It makes me see as a father that there are good people out there." 

Zailynn was diagnosed with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy on August 14. She is now eight months old. Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy affects the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, making it difficult to walk, eat, and even breathe.

“Children that have SMA, there's a quality of life you have to decide as a parent," Mars added. "We want her to be happy and experience the fun things. When it comes to her staying in a hospital more time than she's been out of a hospital, that’s where I draw the line." 

“Number one is to have daddy walk me down the aisle," Mars said. "Being able to walk my daughter down the aisle at her wedding is the best thing I'd ever do that I'd never be able to do." 

Although Zailynn is still a baby, Mars was able to walk with his daughter down the aisle while attending a friend’s wedding in September.

“With my daughter's story, we want her to bring a positive impact on everybody's life," Mars said. "She's a very excited baby -- happy to see anybody. If you look into her stroller, you'll definitely get a smile. She's 100 percent a daddy’s girl." 

To see Zailynn’s entire bucket list, click here.

Photo courtesy: pixabay.com

Publication date: November 5, 2015



Family Creates Bucket List for Terminally Ill Baby