Defying The Odds Without Ears & Legs | BORN DIFFERENT

ADORABLE two-year-old TikTok star, Amaya, was born with no legs and no ears due to a range of complex conditions that developed during mom, Jaylynn's, pregnancy. Among the conditions present at birth, Amaya was diagnosed with caudal regression syndrome - "the reason for her not having legs" - and microtia and atresia, meaning her ear canal and outer ear did not fully develop. Doctors first became aware that Amaya would be born different at Jaylynn's 20-week scan, when it became clear that she had no legs growing - but Jaylynn and Amaya's dad, Chris, were then forced to wait nervously until their daughter was born to learn the "full extent of her condition." With a cleft palate causing immediate breathing difficulties and her jaw complicating the issue, their newborn baby had three crucial surgeries within the first 6 weeks of her life. When the family were finally able to take her home after months in hospital, they wasted no time in adapting ways to include Amaya in every aspect of family life - with protective older sister Ariah taking her under her wing. Jaylynn has learnt sign language to communicate more easily with Amaya and the family talk to her in lower tones, which she can more easily hear. Having overcome many hurdles already through regular therapies focused on developing Amaya's mobility, Jaylynn and Chris are under no illusions that their daughter will have many more challenges to face as she grows up. With another significant spinal surgery on the horizon, they have set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds to support her through yet another gruelling recovery period - a choice they had to make in order to protect her longer term future. But despite everything she and her family have been through, Amaya is full of joy and energy and laughter - and her parents have seen her progress from one milestone to the next. Jaylynn told truly how they now "have to be cautious with her because she knows no limits" and, as Amaya's mobility goes from strength to strength, Chris has no doubt that "she'll be very independent." Since sharing Amaya's journey on TikTok, Jaylynn has been able to raise awareness and advocate for her daughter - who, in turn, is inspiring and encouraging other young families going through similar experiences. And her parents have been just as inspired by their daughter as anyone else: "We've seen a lot of growth in ourselves and with her - and we're forever grateful for her. We could be sitting at home crying about it but we wouldn't have her any other way."

If you can, please consider donating to help fund Amaya's upcoming spinal cord surgery: https://gofund.me/1bc60b7d