OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Mia Curtin, front left, and her family are pictured shortly before the first pitch of a Dunkirk Marauders playoff baseball game, where Mia was honored for her perseverance after suffering from a rare brain condition.

A brave young girl with a love of sports captivated the Dunkirk community over the past year in her battle with a rare brain condition. As Mia Curtin’s recovery continues, her family has reflected on the kindness members of the community have shown in support of Mia throughout her journey.

“Our Mia has now become everyone’s Mia,” the Curtin family said in a statement. “There is no greater gift than the power of love that you have all shown us.”

Mia is an 8-year-old Dunkirk native who was diagnosed with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis, a rare neurological condition that affects only one side of the brain, usually seen with children under the age of 10.

From a benefit at the Kosciuszko Club, to participating in the Memorial Day parade, to throwing out ceremonial first pitches at a Dunkirk Marauders playoff baseball game and the annual Mongy Memorial Wiffle Ball Tournament, Mia Curtin has been celebrated for her bravery and strength throughout the area she calls home.

“We can’t thank the community enough. … It’s been amazing,” said Mia’s grandmother, Linda Curtin. “It was all unexpected to us, every little thing that people had done. We never once asked for anything. They all came forward to us. … We have a great community. We’re very lucky.”

The Curtin family may feel lucky now, but Mia’s circumstances have been anything but fortunate over the past year.

A little over a year ago, Mia was actively participating in multiple sports when her parents, Jim and Kim, noticed Mia was walking with a bit of a limp. For Mia — who loves swimming, gymnastics, softball, and most of all, hockey — a minor injury was nothing out of the ordinary.

But the narrative changed completely when Mia woke up one day unable to move her left arm. The Curtin family spent many days in the hospital as Mia was put through test after test in hopes of finding an answer to what was causing her issues. Her condition continued to worsen, eventually leading to persistent seizures that would not subside, even with various medications. The cause or trigger of her condition remains unclear.

“What caused it, they don’t know,” Linda Curtin said. “… It’s just something that could have entered her body, and that’s where it settled.”

Eventually, Mia underwent a serious, uncommon surgery known as a right hemispherectomy at the Cleveland Clinic on April 21. She returned home a month later. Then, just two days after returning home, Mia was back in school and at the center of the sports world in her hometown that day.

Mia and the entire Curtin family were special guests of the Dunkirk Marauders baseball team before its first playoff game on May 22, an eventual victory over 14-3 over Tonawanda. Organized by Dunkirk head coach Frank Jagoda with the help of Denise Zentz and the Dunkirk Marauders Boosters, Mia threw out the first pitch as the team watched from a line down the third base line.

“The Curtin family has been around Dunkirk baseball for over 20 years now. They have always been a huge supporter of us,” Jagoda said after the game. “… We just thought that this would be the right thing to do.”

Mia threw the pitch to Dunkirk catcher Donny Jackson, who said after the game, “It was amazing, probably one of the best things I’ve done.”

Now three months after her surgery, Mia is doing well in her recovery. She has been traveling to Buffalo once a week for aquatic therapy, and once a week for physical occupational therapy and speech therapy. Mia works on home therapy treatments, as well.

Mia still has work to do in terms of full use of the left side of her body, but doctors say she could regain approximately 80-85% function if she continues with regular treatments.

“What’s bothering her the most is she can’t be out there doing her sports like she did,” Linda Curtin said. “Hopefully, we’ll get there.”

However, Mia has returned to athletic competition in the form of organized soccer with a group of children with disabilities, led by Phil Cook.

“She’s doing very well,” Linda Curtin said. “… She’s here. That’s what we’re grateful for.”

Statement from the Curtin family:

To Our Family and Friends,

There aren’t enough words to express our gratitude to all of the wonderful people of our community. To Katie Lemiszko and the crew of volunteers who organized a benefit, that was a day we will never forget.

To the Kosciuszko Club for hosting the event and giving us the support that helped us get through a difficult time. To everyone that donated, came to the benefit, gave us encouragement with kind words or just said a prayer, we knew we had a lot of love surrounding us.

To the social clubs, businesses and organizations, your outpouring of kindness has proven how everyone came together. To the Dunkirk School District and NCCS teachers, staff and students, for your caring and dedication – we thank you. To DJ Joe Gould for providing his time for the day which helped make it enjoyable for everyone.

Our thanks also go out to Coach Frank Jagoda, the DHS baseball team, Denise Zentz and the sports boosters. It was an honor for us to be a part of the “first” pitch.

Thank you to Devon Freitas, the Dunkirk Police and Fire Departments for welcoming Mia home. Also, to Ryan Hall for allowing Mia to proudly participate in the Memorial Day Parade with her parents.

We apologize if we were unable to acknowledge everyone on the day of the benefit or omitted anyone.

Our Mia has now become everyone’s Mia – how lucky she is! We will always be grateful for where we live, but most of all we are grateful to all of you. The color purple represents power. There is no greater gift than the power of love that you have all shown us!

With Heartfelt Gratitude,

Mia and the Curtin Family