CHESTERTON | Jaslyn Parker will turn 2 in August and appears to be a typical kid. She loves to play with her siblings and she is getting a head start on her Terrible 2s.

But that's OK with her parents, Tiffany and Jason Parker, of Chesterton, because Jaslyn was born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a sometimes fatal condition, in which the muscle between the abdomen and chest has a hole or is missing.

When she was born, Jaslyn's liver, spleen and stomach and large intestines were in her chest, compromising her lungs.

Jaslyn was given a 10 percent chance of survival.

Although she still has some problems, including weight gain and seizures, they feel lucky to have her.

"We were told to plan a funeral," said Tiffany. "We want parents to know where they can get help because it can all be very confusing especially if you bring home a child with feeding tubes or he is on oxygen."

Tiffany has found online support and has talked with others whose children have CD. She joined breathofhopeinc.com and has met parents from all over the world with children who have and have not survived.

"The group just launched a huge campaign and sent out proclamation letters and more than 30 governors signed it proclaiming March 31 as National CD Day," said Tiffany. "We are just trying to get the word out and we want people to be aware of this condition."

Tiffany said she is often amazed when she looks at her daughter.

"I look at her and her brain is there and she is coping better and I think 'wow' and then there are times I wonder when she will be back in the hospital," said Tiffany.

When Jaslyn turned 1 last year, the Parkers celebrated with a blood drive and 50 people showed up. They want to do it again this year and want to double that amount.

Tiffany hopes other parents whose children are suffering from this will check out the Web site and they can also check out Jaslyn's Web site, carepages.com, and type in Jaslyn Parker and the public can read her story.