Family cherishes girl with mystery condition

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - Christmas seems out of reach for one Rio Rancho family. Their daughter is suffering from an undiagnosed condition, but instead of waiting for a miracle, they're cherishing every moment.

Santa also brought them a special surprise right before the holidays.

Racquelle Rinaldi's life started just like any other baby's. She has a loving family an older brother and was born with beautiful blue eyes and golden curls.

Now, three years later, she has a little brother too, but as they were celebrating Racquelle's first birthday, her parents noticed something was very different.

"They thought it was a minor delay and until she was about 16 months old she still continued not to take off on furniture or walk, and actually had started to show signs of regression," explained her mother Heather Rinaldi.

Racquelle never learned to walk and the bubbly girl who liked to sing and dance, can't.

The worst part is doctors do no know what is wrong, and the prognosis is not good.

"Continued regression until she's probably in a vegetative state," explained her mother, "and then from there it will be life support. Then dad and I will have to make one of the hardest decisions of our lives."

Before that day comes, the family is enjoying every second with their angel, collecting all the memories they can, and now they will have one more.

"She's going to get to experience Disney Land and Sea World," exclaimed her mom. "it's a once in a lifetime opportunity that I know she'll enjoy."

The Make-a-Wish foundation is sending the family on the trip in a couple of weeks.

As Christmas approaches they Rinaldi's stockings are hung by the fireplace with care and her mother has this advice for loved ones in despair: "Cherish every moment that you have with them," she said. "God gives children like this to very special parents, and I believe they have a purpose."

The Rinaldi's have set up an account to help buy Racquelle a special wheel chair, fund some of her medical expenses and eventually her funeral.

Click her for more information.

They've also set up a Wells Fargo bank account under Racquelle Rinaldi. The account number is 566364504.