Before Myla Lieskovsky was even two years old, she had already faced challenges most children could never imagine.

Born in November, Myla developed a significant swelling on the left side of her face. Doctors initially struggled to determine exactly what was happening and spent her first month of life in the NICU at Alberta Children’s Hospital while specialists performed repeated MRIs, CT scans, and other tests.

Eventually, genetic testing confirmed that Myla was living with capillary malformation–arteriovenous malformation (CM-AVM), an extremely rare vascular disorder.

The condition causes abnormal blood vessels to allow blood to flow rapidly through areas where it normally should not, placing strain on the heart and surrounding tissues. In Myla’s case, the malformation is unusually large for a child so young.

Her symptoms have affected several aspects of her daily life. She experiences bleeding around her teeth, gums, and nose, while her vision and hearing have also been affected.

For her parents, Samantha and her family, finding safe treatment has been a long and difficult journey. They consulted specialists in Canada and eventually connected with the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation, which helped them meet experts from around the world.

Doctors told the family that Myla’s case was exceptionally unusual. Most vascular malformations of this type are much smaller when they first appear, making the size and severity of Myla’s condition particularly concerning.

The family has now placed its hopes in a specialist in Italy, Dr. Giacomo Colletti, who performs a specialized treatment known as modified electro-scleral therapy. They were preparing to meet him in New York before traveling to Italy for the planned procedure.

For Samantha, the ultimate dream is beautifully simple: she wants Myla to receive treatment that will allow her to return home, heal, and eventually enjoy the ordinary childhood experiences other children take for granted.

She hopes one day her daughter will simply be able to say:

“Mommy, I want to go and play sports.” 💙

Myla’s condition has completely changed her family’s life, but her mother says her daughter has also brought something unexpected into their lives—strength, love, and a new perspective on what truly matters.

Her journey is still unfolding, but her family continues to hold onto hope that the right treatment can give this little girl a brighter and more carefree future. 🌟💙