Doctors deny Amelia 'Mia' Rivera from having a kidney transplant - because she is mentally disabled

At just three years old Mia Rivera has not many months to live,

But doctors refuse to carry out the vital kidney transplant she needs to survive - because she is disabled.

She has Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes mental and physical developmental delays. Many sufferers do not live beyond the age of two.

Her family stand willing to donate their own organs.

But when Mia's mother went to their local hospital in Philadelphia last week to discuss the transplant, doctors told her they will not recommend transplantation for the little girl.

Chrissy Rivera told ABC News she initially 'thought we were just finding out how a transplant works and how we could be a donor.'

'But then, I was told we couldn't because she was mentally retarded,' she said. 'Those were the exact words on a piece of paper.' 

Mia who has two brothers, aged 11 and 6 cannot walk or talk and has a gastrointestinal tube because she cannot eat by herself. '

'But she smiles and plays and recognizes us and loves her brothers,' said Rivera. 'They love to play with her.'

  

Rivera believes doctors' preconceptions about Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome are 'pretty dated.' 

'There are people in their sixties and plenty of them in young adulthood in their 20s, 30s and 40s,' she said.

'Any mother wants the best for her child and will do whatever it takes to get it,' said Rivera, '

Mia isn't to blame for this. She didn't want ask for this syndrome and all we ask for is the right to fair medical treatment.'

'The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said it 'does not disqualify potential transplant candidates on the basis of intellectual abilities,' but refused to comment on the specific case.

Please keep Mia and her family in your thoughts & prayers during this difficult time!