Parents Of Toddler With 2 Years To Live Create Bucket List, Hope To Make Him Smile Everyday

A two-year-old toddler from Northeastern, England, was a normal little boy when he was born. He developed just as any other child would, becoming mobile and mischievous as he learned to walk. However, over the course of only a few days, he stopped walking and became less active than he was. His parents became concerned and scheduled an appointment with a physician. The doctors believed it was just a phase and ensured he would be his normal self again in no time. However, it was not long before his motor skills began a rapid decline in function. Finding out his life would be cut short, his parents decided to make the best of the time he had by creating a bucket list to keep a smile on his face.

Zach Parnaby was a normal little boy until his motor skills began to shut down, around 20-months-old, according to ABC News. His doctors became concerned and ran a series of tests to determine what was causing his decline. The news came on December 24, when it was revealed that Zack was diagnosed with Krabbe leukodystrophy, a terminal form of cerebral palsy. According to ITV, the disease will leave him blind, deaf, and unable to walk as he lives out his short life.

Zach’s parents became numb to the news, his mother revealed.

“I think we were numb, to be honest. You hear of children being diagnosed, but you never expect it to happen to your own.”

However, rather than allow their hearts to break and decline into a state of sadness, Zach’s parents decided to create a bucket list for him so he had a reason to smile every day. His bucket list contains items such as, “Find a cure for Krabbes disease, for Krabbes disease to be screened for at birth, to meet Mickey Mouse – completed, to ride in a fire engine and meet Fireman Sam – completed, to swim in the sea, to build a snowman – completed, go sledging, meet a real bear (I love bears and this was one of my first words), to meet Santa, to ride a bike, meet a famous person – completed, ride on a red London bus, take a boat trip – completed, own my own dog – completed. (SAM COMES HOME SOON), see a waterfall and swim near it if it’s safe, take a ride on Thomas The Tank Engine – booked for March 22.”

His parents hope that Zach’s life can be as full and happy as it can be in such a short amount of time. They also hope to become inspiration to other parents in a similar situation.

“Other families can do what we’re doing and make that child’s life as happy as they can in the short time they have.”

[Photo Courtesy: ABC News]