Inspiring North Carolina girl, 8, has terminal childhood DEMENTIA which lowers life expectancy to just 15, with youngster no longer able to speak or move - but still hopes to bring joy to others

An eight-year-old North Carolina girl who has been diagnosed with childhood dementia and is unable to walk or talk is on a mission to raise awareness about her rare disease.

Sadie Haywood was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome when she was just three months old. 

The rare genetic metabolism condition causes to severe issues to the brain and nervous system, triggering seizures and movement difficulties.

Patients face a limited life expectancy, with an outlook of just 15 years as the disease progresses. There is currently no cure for the illness which is known to affect 1 in 70,000 births.

But despite the struggles she endures, Sadie and her mother, Ashley, are on a mission to spur positivity, while raising awareness about the disease.

Sadie Haywood was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome at just three months old which left her with seizures, movement disorders and a limited life expectancy

The youngster and her mom, Ashley launched their Instagram page @SavingSadieRae and have ever since been trying to raise awareness about the disease

On March 8, as Sadie turned eight years old, the hopeful mother said how difficult it has been for the family

'At two years old, she knew her ABCs, she could count to ten and she was so very smart. And then the disease started taking over, and it does break your heart,' Ashley said

With nearly 200,000 followers on their Instagram page, Ashely told Fox8: 'We really wanted to make a difference, and we wanted to gain a lot of followers to reach people all over the world.

'We really had no idea it would go as crazy as it has.'

On March 8, as Sadie turned celebrated her birthday, the hopeful mother said how difficult it has been for the family to accept their reality. 

'The life expectancy of these kids is around 15, and when you keep adding numbers to her age, it gets you closer to that,' she wrote.

'I'll never not celebrate a birthday or go all out for it because she’s a kid, and that’s what you do. But it’s harder getting to that age of her life expectancy. 

'She was always talking and singing and dancing, and she had a huge vocabulary for a young age. 

'At two years old, she knew her ABCs, she could count to ten and she was so very smart. And then the disease started taking over, and it does break your heart.'

The family is also collaborating this year with the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation to raise one million dollars for Sadie for her treatment 

The family never fails to celebrate their happy moments and tries to live life to the fullest

'It's very easy to not have that joy because you do have a terminal diagnosis. It's easy to go the opposite way and just be mad and sad, and that’s really not a way to live,' Ashley said

Sanfilippo Syndrome is a rare, inherited disorder that leads to severe issues in the brain and nervous system. As of now, there is no cure for the illness and is known to affect 1 in 70,000 births

But despite Sadie's medical hardships, the family is focused on savoring the happy times. 

'It's very easy to not have that joy because you do have a terminal diagnosis. It's easy to go the opposite way and just be mad and sad, and that’s really not a way to live. 

'I couldn’t live like that. I had to show her the world, and I had to give her the world. I have to do everything in my power, and I have to be happy, too,' Ashley said.

For her birthday this year, the family is collaborating with the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation to raise a million dollars for her treatment. 

As of now, they have been able to raise $105,473.