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A MYSTERY ILLNESS STOLE THEIR KIDS’ PERSONALITIES. THESE MOMS FOUGHT FOR
ANSWERS.

Their children’s decline was precipitous and dramatic, with patients losing
function in days or weeks, including the ability to talk, move or take care of
themselves.

By Richard Sima
May 12, 2024 at 5:00 a.m. EDT
Sara Smythe, who was born with Down syndrome, developed a mysterious regression
disorder as a previously sociable and active teenager. Her mother, Eileen Quinn,
a developmental pediatrician in Toledo, spent more than a decade searching for
answers. (Sylvia Jarrus for The Washington Post)

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Before Sara Smythe began to disappear, she was thriving.

The youngest of four sisters, Sara was born with Down syndrome and lived the
life of an active teen. At 13, the Toledo student was heading to middle school
and loved soccer and swim practice, took dance and karate classes, and was a
Girl Scout.




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