Support rolling in for local family of 4-year-old battling rare genetic disorder

One family that's used to helping others is getting help of their own, all surrounding their 4-year-old daughter battling a genetic disorder.

Boston 25 News first met the family in Dorchester, where the child's father works as a Boston firefighter.

Now, the focus is on the firefighter's daughter, and how she's beating a condition that almost no one knows about.

It all began at just three days old for Mallory, when her parents, Ryan and Micayla Bickerton, realized something wasn't right when their child wasn't eating.

"She had a lot of feeding difficulty, and that was from birth," Micayla Bickerton said. "So, we knew right away that something was going on with her."

It turned out to be something most people have never heard of: Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disorder impacting just a handful of people across the country.

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"She's non-verbal now, we're not sure if she will ever speak," Micayla said. "We have a lot of hope that she will."

The 4-year-old communicates through sign language and electronics that speak for her.

But, the Bickerton family isn't alone. Micayla works at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and Ryan spends his time looking out for others as a firefighter.

As they support others, co-workers have been quick to step up to show their own support for the family.

"No one really knows about it, including them," Ryan said. "Everyone is just eager to help, and eager to do what they can."

Fundraiser after fundraiser, many are helping Mallory and the newly-created foundation called Mal's Pals to benefit those like Mallory.

The family said the support has been invaluable.

"It's been a bumpy ride, but it's made less bumpy by everyone's support," Ryan said.

Surrounded by all of the support, all for a little girl and a family full of heart, joy and determination.

"It makes you feel so much better to know that you're not on your own," Ryan said.

For more information, you can head to www.malspalsfoundation.org.

Cox Media Group