Dad’s dance with wheelchair-bound daughter makes us cry, smile

Brace yourself. This father-daughter dance is about to do some serious tugging of the heartstrings.

When McKenzie Michelle Carey was 18 months old, she was diagnosed with Mitochondrial disease, a life-threatening illness that damages the cells of the brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscles, and the endocrine and respiratory systems.

There is no known cure.

While she isn't paralyzed, 12-year-old McKenzie can't walk or speak.

"We are her voice and her legs," her mother, Tammy Carey, tells WTVR.

Her disease, while limiting in many ways, doesn't stop McKenzie from performing in pageants.

"Pageants give her the same opportunity as other children," Carey says. "She has won many titles in the past seven years and will continue competing."

A recent dance number with her father, Mike, was captured on camera. When Mike tenderly lifts her in the air to Miley Cyrus' "The Climb," McKenzie breaks into the biggest smile.

Also see: Father and sons pay it forward by building new children's hospital

Their moving dance is now going viral.

"My husband started doing these dances with her to inspire people and she has inspired people and touched peoples hearts from all over the world," Carey says.

McKenzie's family is raising money online to help pay for the Grade 5 student's expensive therapies: hyperbaric oxygen therapy and intensive suit therapy.

Follow McKenzie's story here.

Earlier this year, we shared Quincy and Gracie's inspirational dance number. Nine-year-old Gracie has cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis, but won't let that stop her from dancing with her sister. Watch their beautiful performance here.

And last January, we shared the story of a little boy with Mitochondrial disease who took his first steps. Watch that incredible milestone here.

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