TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KMPH) – A California family is hoping for the recovery of their four-year-old daughter who is battling a serious brain tumor. They hope radiation will ease her symptoms enough to make her eligible for a clinical trial in Seattle.

Natalie Barajas, 4, has been through a lot since she was diagnosed with brain stem glioma, an incurable brain tumor, eight months ago. Since then, her tumor has progressed significantly, leaving her unable to walk, talk or eat. She now needs a feeding tube because she can no longer swallow.

But Natalie’s parents say she somehow managed to keep a smile on her face.

“She’s still positive. She loves watching her Disney movies. She loves looking at pictures of us when we went on those Disney trips. It reminds her and puts a little smile on her face,” said Natalie’s father, Juan Barajas.

According to her parents, the four-year-old does not fully understand why she is constantly feeling sick.

“She wonders why she has to go through all this: severe headaches, not being able to sleep at night, having to take so many medications,” Barajas said.

Even though it has been a tough struggle for everyone, Barajas says the family continues to hope for a miracle and keeps their faith.

“We’re going through the worst right now and it’s gotten to the point where if we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of them. So we have to be strong and just pray and trust that a miracle will happen,” he said.

Barajas says he has already used up his paid family leave at his job and has had to take out loans to make ends meet. A GoFundMe campaign to support the family has raised more than $11,000.

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