6-year-old takes first breath after removing tube

Rebecca Francis saw the signs early on. Her daughter's droopy eyes, extreme fatigue and difficulty swallowing food were constant challenges, but it would take several months and trips to the emergency room before doctors would figure out what was ailing young Bella.

Eventually doctors diagnosed Bella with myastenia gravis, a rare autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that normally occurs in adults. Bella was only a year old when she was diagnosed.

The disorder means there are times when Bella can barely stand or walk. At other times she's full of energy and sass. Her mom chooses to share the happy times on social media to protect Bella's privacy and to help her remember the good times. The mother and daughter duo have been through a lot together because of Bella's health, but they've both learned just how strong they are because of it.

"Imagine her being sedated and not able to wake up for 16 days at a time because her lungs aren't strong enough to breathe on their own," Rebecca recalls about one particular visit to the hospital. "Or the doctor says, "Well, we don't know what's going to happen to her, but when she wakes up in the morning, we'll let you know if this machine is strong enough to save her life."

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