Linda, Reese and brother Reno.

Friends of a single, Santa Clarita mom who just lost her young daughter to a rare genetic disease are turning to the community in hopes of gaining support for expenses.

Reese Stout, 7, was born on April 30, 2007 to Linda Stout and had the reputation of being the perfect baby. According to family friend Melinda Dawson, she was easy-going, hardly cried and made a lasting impression on everyone who met her.

“Unfortunately New Years Eve of the same year Reese had what I believe to be her first seizure,” said Dawson. “After many tests and medical evaluations Reese was diagnosed with Sotos Syndrome, a genetic condition which can cause seizures in some.”

Sotos Syndrome is a genetic condition which causes physical overgrowth during the first years of life. According to Genetics Home Reference  it only occurs in one in 10,000 to 14,000 newborns but because many of the characteristics of the disease can be linked to other conditions, many cases of this disorder are likely not properly diagnosed, so the actual occurrence may be closer to one in 5,000.

Reese had countless seizures and hospital stays to try to deal with her condition but ultimately the disease took her life.

On the morning of February 10 Linda went to wake Reese to get her ready for school but Reese had passed away in her sleep.

“I remember one occasion at Rio Norte Junior High. My daughter Brooke was performing with Mrs. Painters Dance Team and I invited Linda and Reese.” said Dawson. “My daughter was so excited to see Reese making her way up the gymnasium bleachers giving everyone sitting on the end of each row a hug. One by one no one was left out until she reached the top.”

A GoFundMe donations page was set up and the support from friends and community members poured in.

The account has already gained a little over $16,000 in donations, which should barely cover funeral costs.

Reese’s funeral service is scheduled for February 28 at Eternal Valley Memorial Park.

“Linda has also gone to extreme lengths to give Reese an exciting, fun filled life,” said Dawson. “Linda and her family recently took Reese on a trip to Disneyland and like every other kid Reese had a blast!  The love Reese gave so effortlessly, her infectious laugh she shared so unselfishly and her kind spirit that came so naturally made the last seven years some of the most memorable of my life.”

To donate to the Stout family go to their donations page here.

Photos courtesy of the GoFundMe donations page