Rick Santorum left the campaign trail on Saturday to rush back to Philadelphia, where his three-year-old special needs daughter Isabella Maria was admitted to Children’s Hospital.
The little girl was born with Trisomy 18, a life-threatening genetic disorder also known as Edwards syndrome. Those with the condition are born with an extra 18th chromosome, similar to Down sydrome. Half die within the first week after birth. According to Santorum, the family feels blessed that Bella has defied doctor’s odds and survived two years beyond what they were initially prepared to expect.
Santorum recently filmed a video where he talked about his daughter, “Bella is wonderful, joyful, the center of the universe for our family. Bella makes us better. She’s got a great, beautiful spirit.”
The presidential candidate canceled planned campaign appearances slated for Sunday in Punta Gorda and Sarasota. With the GOP primary slated for Tuesday, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, of 19 Kids and Counting fame on TLC, stepped in to stump for the Santorum campaign in Rick’s absence.
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