Family Raises Money for Baby's Brainstem Implant

Escondido girl born with multiple abnormalities

Two North County parents held a special fundraiser over the weekend to help their daughter have a normal life.

Two-year-old Amelia Heston was born with multiple abnormalities.

She's able to see out of one eye with glasses, but cannot hear.

Yesterday, Amelia's parents put on a fundraiser at an Escondido restaurant to help pay for an auditory brainstem implant that will allow her to hear.

But there's a catch. The family will have to go to Italy for the procedure because it's not FDA-approved for children younger than 12 in the U.S.

The fundraiser at Tango Restaurant included a silent auction and special displays.

Restaurant owners also gave clients an opportunity to experience what Amelia struggles with.

“We have something that we're calling the Amelia Experience where people can put in some ear plugs, put on some glasses because she does have some seeing problems and kind of see the world through her eyes,” said Jennifer Knotowicz of Tango Restaurant

The family hopes to raise $100,000 to pay for the surgery and trip to Italy.
 

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