A severe immuno-deficiency left baby Bronte isolated from the rest of the world just two weeks into her life.
The simple act of leaving the house was once a matter of life or death for the newborn, but a groundbreaking new treatment has given the now two-year-old a second chance.
When A Current Affair first met Bronte, her severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), commonly known as bubble baby disease, meant she effectively did not have an immune system.
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“She has no B-cells or T-cells to fight off any form of infection and something as simple as a little cold or gastro could end up being life-threatening to Bronte,” mum Emma told A Current Affair at the time.
So Bronte, mum Emma, dad Jake and siblings Kaius and Willow all locked down, living in total isolation for five months until Bronte could receive lifesaving treatment in the UK.
For four months thereafter, the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London became their new home and the place where Bronte could access a groundbreaking new treatment.
Doctors removed Bronte’s stem cells, and altered them outside of her body before she underwent chemotherapy to give her immune system a clean slate.
Then, the corrected cells were re-infused into her body, providing the building blocks for a functioning immune system.
Finally back home in New South Wales, Bronte still had to keep a safe distance from the rest of the world until they knew for sure the treatment had worked.
Thankfully, 14 months on, little Bronte is finally getting a taste of the big, wide world, and she’s making up for lost time.
“She’s full of beans. She’s wild… she’s living her best life really,” Emma said.
“She’s going to daycare playing with the kids.
“She’s currently sick with a runny nose and a cold but that’s OK, because she gets better.”
Not long ago, going to daycare could have been deadly for Bronte.
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But these days, thanks to the incredible treatment, her immune system is the same as any other two-year-old’s.
“Obviously daycare is filled with little germs and bugs, but it’s amazing her immune system can handle it,” Emma said.
And Bronte keeps defying the odds.
Most babies born with SCID don’t live to see their second birthday.
But Bronte just celebrated hers with the family and friends who helped her reach this milestone.
“It was a wonderful day. We decided to have a party in the park like we did for her other siblings,: Emma said.
“And that was a good chance also for all the people that had supported us over the last two years to come and actually meet Bronte … and for us to say thank you to them as well.”
Emma and Jake said it was difficult watching their daughter go through the treatment, but said it was “all worth it”.
“It’s amazing to see her now living a normal life, interacting playing with friends playing in playgrounds, just doing everything normal,” Emma said.
“She goes to swimming, we go to playgrounds we visit family and friends, we go to birthday parties,” Emma said.
“Just little normal things that you sort of take for granted.”