Two years ago, it was just the two of them, Tom and Joy Davison, living in their Summit Township home.

Now they are parents of four children, all less than two years old. Their son, TJ, is just 23 months old. Natalie, Vivian and Grace are 7-month-old triplets, and Grace was born with disabilities.

Because the couple had difficulty conceiving, they began fertility treatments after TJ's birth in the hopes of having another child.

The triplets arrived two months early in January all weighing less than 4 pounds.

From prenatal testing, the doctors knew Grace could have delayed development from hydrocephalus, excess fluid in her brain. They didn't expect so many other issues.

“One doctor said Grace has a lot of brain abnormalities, one of which is lissencephaly,” Tom said.

That means “smooth brain.” According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, lissencephaly is a rare genetic disorder where the child lacks the normal folds in the cerebral cortex.

The cerebral cortex is the site of most of the brain's information processing. Seizures are part of the condition.

Grace also requires special care for many other health challenges including extremely dry skin, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

“They don't believe she can see either,” Joy said. “Her eyes are structurally intact, but she can't process the information.”

“She cannot control her temperature, hot or cold, so it's hard to take her places,” Joy said.

Equipment to measure Grace's body temperature, heart rate and oxygen levels goes wherever she goes. There also are tubes for feeding and for releasing gas from her gastrointestinal tract. Another tube between her scalp and her skull drains excess fluid from her brain. She takes a special stroller to carry everything.

“Grace has something going on from head to toe,” Joy said.

Grace has been hospitalized many times. In June, she was admitted six times for two or more days.

“She's finally stable enough to spend more time at home,” Tom said.

“Unfortunately, she is always somewhat sedated due to the seizure medications,” he said.

Tom said they bought a minivan before the births. Later they discovered that it can barely accommodate four car seats.

Nevertheless, the Davisons hope to drive to another city in the fall or spring looking for the best care possible for Grace.

Some of Grace's problems are genetic. Joy said some are extremely rare and a lot is unexplained.

“We don't know if she'll be like this for the rest of her life,” Joy said. “When you have a child like this you concentrate on quality of life.”

The other children help make that a possibility. The Davisons say Vivian and Natalie are good babies. TJ shows sympathy for Grace. He also helps his parents in small ways.

“Vivian and Natalie smile more than any two babies I've ever seen,” said Kim Dugan of Evans City, Joy's mother. She said TJ shows affection for all three girls.

The Davisons' home is crowded with little ones and little things. Nurses visit and therapists come and go for Grace's vision, occupational and physical therapies and for early interventions for the other children.

“We're just struggling to make this all work,” Tom said.

Financial demands are part of the family's stress.

“There's a lot that insurance doesn't cover that we try to do for her,” Joy said.

Dugan said the Davisons will need ramps and other renovations to make their home accessible for Grace. The renovations also will allow Grace to be part of family activities.

“Our circumstances are so extreme,” Joy said. “Help with the van and the house, it would simplify our lives.”

Dugan has organized fundraising including the Sweet Baby Grace GoFundMe page.

“I set it up one day feeling so helpless,” Dugan said. “I felt like I had to do something.”

With the help of volunteers, the equestrian program at Lutherlyn and local businesses, her idea of a benefit trail ride became a reality in June. More than 300 people showed up, about 60 of them with horses.

Dugan said the ride allowed the Davisons to see how many people are supporting them.

“She has done more in her short little life than I could ever hope to achieve in a lifetime. She has brought so many people together,” Dugan said.

Dugan also set up the Prayers for Sweet Baby Grace page on Facebook.

“She has made us appreciate life more, taught us to be kinder, more understanding,” Dugan said.

“We really don't know her life expectancy,” Joy said. “The hardest thing is looking and bonding with your child not knowing how long they are going to be here for.”