13WMAZ first met Tonya Wright at Trinity United Methodist Church food pantry. She has a lot on her plate.

“I’ve had four strokes last year; I’m not 50 yet,” she said. “None of the women in my family have lived past 57. We have something hereditary that runs in my family called Leigh’s disease.”

Leigh’s syndrome is a severe neurological disorder where patients lose their physical and mental abilities. Most people affected by the disorder die young.

Tonya’s son Aubrey also has Leigh’s syndrome and is completely dependent on her.

“They told me he wouldn’t live to be five,” she said. “He just turned 27.”

The two have seen worse times. Tonya says she was homeless a year ago.

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