POWHATAN POINT, Ohio -- It's an amazing story of a family's love for a child, and the child's unwavering innocence and strength.

Aubrey Brooks, 23 months old, has to live her young life in near-darkness, but there is finally a light at the end of this difficult tunnel.

She looks like every other toddler, full of energy and smiles. But she is running in the dim light for a reason.

Aubrey was born with a very rare genetic disorder, CEP, also known as Gunther's disease.

She is extremely sensitive to natural and fluorescent light.

CEP can also cause an enlarged spleen, blistering of the skin, intense pain and kidney and liver failure.

When she was born, her mother, Nicole, was told she had impetigo, and Aubrey was given bleach baths and multiple antibiotics.

It wasn't until Nicole took Aubrey to a dermatologist in Pittsburgh, and some genetic testing, that Nicole found out the truth.

"When the doctor says don't freak yourself out, you freak yourself out. And I had a two-hour drive home," said Nicole.

The diagnosis flipped the Brooks family's world upside down.

Nicole was devastated, worried about the health of her child, but ready to face the diagnosis head-on.

The Brooks family needed a home makeover, a car makeover -- a life makeover.

"We have special windows that block 95.5 percent of the UV rays. But she also wears 100 SPF sunscreen at all times and sun protective clothing at all times. It's imperative that we try not to expose her to anything that can harm her skin," said Nicole.

But this way of life could be over soon. Aubrey needs a bone marrow transplant to cure CEP, and she leaves Sunday, Jan. 10 for the procedure.

There was a stem cell match found through the National Cord Blood registry for Aubrey.

The procedure is scheduled to begin Monday morning, an absolute blessing for this family.

It will take several weeks before they know whether the transplant was a success, but when that day comes...

"It will be like Christmas morning for the little kids," said Nicole.

Nicole is looking forward to Aubrey's first trip to the beach, the playground, even the grocery store.

It will be the perfect birthday gift for Aubrey, who will celebrate her second birthday in the hospital Jan. 17.

You can track Aubrey's progress on her Web site and right here at 7 News.

Our thoughts are with Aubrey and her family.

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